Montana
Idaho
Griz clip Idaho 4-3
4/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 20, 2014
The Grizzlies coveted a 3-2 advantage over Idaho, with seniors Maddy Murray and Ashley Mackey battling in the last two matches yet to finish.
In her final home match as a Griz, Mackey didn't disappoint -- delivering a powerful performance, winning in straight sets and clinching the 4-3 win over Idaho (17-5, 3-1 WAC) at the Peak Racquet Club on Sunday afternoon. Murray, after losing the first set, battled back but fell short, losing in the third set.
"It was cool, especially since they are such a good team," Mackey said. "We had momentum from doubles and we just kept it going into singles. We just all really fought well."
Idaho, which is joining the Big Sky Conference next season, has been nationally-ranked as high as No. 51 this season. The Griz (15-7, 9-0 BSC) have won 10 of its last 12 matches, and head into the conference tournament scorching hot.
To start out, UM won the doubles point for the third straight match. At No. 1, Haley Driver and Precious Gbadamosi defeated Victoria Lozano and Almudena Sanz to improve to 15-6 this spring. At No. 2 doubles, Sasha Carter and Laurence Pelchat won 8-3 -- their tenth win in their last twelve matches. Head coach Steve Ascher said his team is playing fantastic doubles right now.
"I thought today was one of our best doubles performances of the year," Ascher said. "Because of our decision-making, and our positioning, and all of the strategy that goes into it. It's huge -- the doubles point gives you a little bit of the wiggle room that you need. Against teams that you're even with, it's hard to pull out four singles matches."
UM and Idaho each won three singles matches. With the 1-0 lead, Carter and Pelchat finished up first, winning in straight sets and giving their team a 3-0 lead. Victoria Lozano, after losing the first match, came back to defeat Haley Driver at No. 1 singles in three sets, and minutes later, Precious Gbadamosi lost at No. 2, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Mackey eventually pulled out the duel-clinching win, ending UM's regular season on the highest of notes. Mackey and Pelchat have each won a team-high six straight matches.
"I've been playing well and I've been finding weaknesses in my opponents to break down," Pelchat said. "My serve has been a lot better, and I've been able to get some free points with it. I don't have to work as hard when I'm serving compared to when I'm returning so that helps."
Pelchat's recent hot-streak is a microcosm for where the team is at right now. Ascher's squad is annihilating the opponents it should beat, and pulling out clutch wins against teams that could beat them.
Montana will play next Saturday at Gold River, Calif. in the Big Sky semifinals against the highest remaining seed from Friday's quarterfinals.
"I'm stoked -- we're stoked," Pelchat said. "We don't know who we're getting, but we've played all these teams before. We're in Sacramento State's home, and Northern Arizona will be there, but we're just excited. We've worked all year for these two days."
Montana 4, Idaho 3
April 20, 2014 at Missoula, Mont. (Peak Racquet Club)
Singles competition
1. Victoria Lozano (UI) def. Haley Driver (UM) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
2. Almudena Sanz (UI) def. Precious Gbadamosi (UM) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
3. Sasha Carter (UM) def. Galina Bykova (UI) 6-4, 6-2
4. Laurence Pelchat (UM) def. Sophie Vickers (UI) 6-2, 6-3
5. Ashley Mackey (UM) def. Belen Barcenilla (UI) 6-4, 6-2
6. Rita Burmudez (UI) def. Maddy Murray (UM) 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (10-7)
Doubles competition
1. Haley Driver/Precious Gbadamosi (UM) def. Victoria Lozano/Almudena Sanz (UI) 8-5
2. Sasha Carter/Laurence Pelchat (UM) def. Galina Bykova/Rita Burmudez (UI) 8-3
3. Belen Barcenilla/Sophie Vickers (UI) def. Ashley Mackey/Anabel Carbo-Estruch (UM) 8-4
Match Notes
Montana: 15-7, 9-0 BSC
Idaho: 17-5, 3-1 WAC
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (4,3,1,2,5,6)
Match duration: 4 hours, 45 minutes
Players Mentioned
