Montana
Northern Arizona
Griz fall to Northern Arizona
3/23/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
March 23, 2012
The University of Montana women's tennis dropped its first conference dual of the 2012 season losing to Northern Arizona 4-3 Friday in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Friday's dual was a rematch of the 2011 Big Sky Conference semifinal where the Jacks won by a score of 4-3 as well. In fact the last three meetings for these two squads have all been by the score of 4-3 with NAU narrowly edging out all three contests.
The Grizzlies were shut out, 0-3, in doubles and lost their first three singles matches to go down 4-0. Freshman Laurence Pelchat, sophomore Maddy Murray and freshman Precious Gbadamosi all pulled out victories for the Grizzlies but the damage had been done. Pelchat's, Muray's and Gbadamosi's matches were all won after NAU secured its fourth and clinching point.
Junior Heather Davidson battled NAU No. 1 Ghizelene Doballah but lost in straight sets despite a hard fought second set where Davidson lost 7-5.
The loss marked the Grizzlies' 15th straight road contest since the spring season began in January.
"The team did a great job with composure and controlling the things they could control," said coach Steve Ascher. "This was great opportunity for emotional and psychological growth, and the players did well to take advantage of that opportunity."
Montana drops to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in Big Sky play while NAU improves to 6-9 overall and moves ahead of UM in the Big Sky standings with a 4-1 record.
Montana will compete in a non-conference match Saturday against Grand Canyon University in Mesa, Ariz., for its last road dual of the regular season.
2012 Montana Women's Tennis
Montana vs Northern Arizona (Mar 23, 2012)
Northern Arizona 4, Montana 3
Mar 23, 2012 at Flagstaff, Ariz. (Continental Country Club)
Singles
1. DOBALLAH, Ghizelene (NAU) def. Davidson, Heather (UM) 6-1, 7-5
2. Pelchat, Laurence (UM) def. STONE, Hannah (NAU) 6-4, 6-4
3. WAHINEPIO, Malia (NAU) def. Mackey, Ashley (UM) 6-3, 6-2
4. VANG, Johanna (NAU) def. Carter, Sasha (UM) 6-3, 6-1
5. Murray, Maddy (UM) def. PEREZ, Nicole (NAU) 6-4, 4-6, 10-5
6. Gbadamosi, Precious (UM) def. PACAUT, Alice (NAU) 2-6, 7-5, 10-4
Doubles
1. DOBALLAH, Ghizelene/WAHINEPIO, Malia (NAU) def. DAVIDSON, Heather/PELCHAT, Laurence (UM) 8-5
2. STONE, Hannah/VANG, Johanna (NAU) def. CARTER, Sasha/MURRAY, Maddy (UM) 8-4
3. PACAUT, Alice/PEREZ, Nicole (NAU) def. GBADAMOSI, Precious/MACKEY, Ashley (UM) 8-6
Match Notes
Montana 9-6, 3-1 BSC
Northern Arizona 6-9, 4-1 BSC
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,1,3,2,5,6)
Players Mentioned
