Griz lose to Drake 5-2

Friday, February 24

Des Moines, Iowa

2:00 PM

Montana

Drake

2/24/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

Feb. 24, 2012

The University of Montana women's tennis team dropped its first match of the weekend 5-2 to Drake at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center in Des Moines, Iowa, Friday. The Grizzlies were edged out in doubles and only managed two singles wins at Nos. 4 and 5.

Montana battled in the doubles with Heather Davidson and Laurence Pelchat losing 8-6 in a tie breaker while Maddy Murray and Sasha Carter lost close as well, 9-7.

"It was good to compete in a tight match," said coach Steve Ascher. "We are improving, and we need these tough matches to provide feedback in the ways we can approach our practices to reach the next level.

"I am proud of how we competed today, and I look forward to getting better this weekend."

Montana did see tough play from Davidson and Carter in their opening sets. Davidson lost 7-5 in her first set to regionally ranked Klavdija Rebol and Carter lost the first set in the No. 3 match by the same score. Both players failed to bring the same fight in the second set losing 6-1 and 6-2, respectively.

Lauren Gibson suffered her first loss of the spring against Ali Patterson in three sets 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. Gibson is now 3-1 in singles.

Sophomore Ashley Mackey continues to be a bright spot for the Grizzlies, however, as she won easily over Nell Boyd in straight sets 6-0, 6-0. Mackey is now 7-1 in singles play this spring.

Murray chalked up the other Grizzly victory over Amanda Aragon in straight sets as well, 6-2, 6-0.

Saturday the Griz will face off against division II opponent Upper Iowa at 1:00 p.m. and will finish their road trip against Kansas Sunday. Both matches will be played in the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

Results and a full recap will be provided by GoGriz.com after match play.

Drake 5, Montana 2
02/24/12 at Des Moines, Iowa (Roger Knapp Tennis Center)

Singles competition
1. Rebol, Klavdija (DU) def. Davidson, Heather (UM) 7-5, 6-1
2. Krizman, Manca (DU) def. Pelchat, Laurence (UM) 6-3, 6-2
3. Demos, Gabriela (DU) def. Carter, Sasha (UM) 7-5, 6-2
4. Mackey, Ashley (UM) def. Boyd, Nell (DU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Murray, Maddy (UM) def. Aragon, Amanda (DU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Patterson, Ali (DU) def. Gibson, Lauren (UM) 6-1, 5-7, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Demos, Gabriela/Krizman, Manca (DU) def. DAVIDSON, Heather/PELCHAT, Laurence (UM) 9-8 (8-6)
2. Aguilera, Jessica/Rebol, Klavdija (DU) def. CARTER, Sasha/MURRAY, Maddy (UM) 9-7
3. Aragon, Amanda/Boyd, Nell (DU) def. GBADAMOSI, Precious/MACKEY, Ashley (UM) 8-4

Match Notes
Montana 5-3
Drake 10-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (4,5,2,3,1,6)