Montana
Portland State
Women's tennis picks up first win of season
2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The Montana Grizzlies women's tennis team started off its Big Sky Conference schedule by breaking a four-match losing streak against Portland State in a 5-2 victory Sunday morning.
The Grizzlies started the morning off strong, claiming the doubles point after just two matches. At No. 1, seniors Precious Gbadamosi and Laurence Pelchat built off a win over Iowa yesterday with a 6-2 victory against Govi/Vorster (PSU).
Then, Sasha Carter and Catherine Orfanos secured the doubles point with a 6-4 victory against Dong/Preda (PSU). The final match between Sulz/Kincaid (UM) and Peri/Frey (PSU) went unfinished.
Coach Steve Ascher was glad his team could win the doubles point after playing well in doubles all weekend.
"In the previous matches we just didn't put together two matches in a day," he said. "We played solid today and performed at a level where we could have swept all three doubles. As most matches, pulling out the doubles gives you an added edge going into singles."
In singles, Montana dominated the top and bottom of the line-up, losing only the middle two matches on their way to the 5-2 victory.
Portland State struck first, however, as Sabina Preda won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, against Hannah Sulz to even the dual up at 1-1.
Montana rallied after the defeat, starting at the top with Gbadamosi. She defeated Dané Vorster 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1 singles, and Cam Kincaid followed suit with a 6-4, 6-2 victory at No. 5 to give the Griz a 3-1 lead.
"Precious has been thinking through her matches and finding the necessary strategies to put herself in positions to win," Ascher said. "Cam controlled the tempo of the match and was able to keep the lead in each of the sets by producing solid service games to keep herself at a statistical advantage."
Carter closed out the match for the Grizzlies with a three-set victory at No. 2 singles against Siena Peri to push the score out of reach for the Vikings at 4-1. Ascher had faith in his senior veteran on closing out the match.
"Sasha played a smart decisive set," he said. "She has been in a match clinching situation many times now, so we know we can depend upon her to give everything she has and give her teammates a chance for the win."
Laurence Pelchat dropped a close match at No. 3 singles 7-5, 7-5 against Tracy Dong while Orfanos closed the dual out with a 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory against Megan Govi at No. 6. Ascher saw a lot of fight in Pelchat's game.
"I'm proud of the way Laurence has been continuing to compete," he said. "The way she continues to push herself is a great example for her teammates. She exemplifies a fighter."
The win broke a four-match losing streak for the Griz, but started them off on the right foot in Big Sky Conference play. Ascher was pleased with his team's performance over the three-day trip.
"I thought the weekend was a success," he said. "I wish we would have pulled out a doubles point the first couple days in order to make add pressure and stress upon our opponents. But, we are giving everything we have and the team is handling themselves well given the strength of our schedule."
The Griz will travel to North Dakota Friday, Feb. 20 to resume their Big Sky Conference season.
Montana 5, @ Portland State 2 Portland, Oregon Feb. 15, 2015
Singles
1. Gbadamosi (UM) def. Vorster (PSU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Carter (UM) def. Govi (PSU) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
3. Dong (PSU) def. Pelchat (UM) 7-5, 7-5
4. Preda (PSU) def. Sulz (UM) 6-1, 6-2
5. Kincaid (UM) def. Frey (PSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Orfanos (UM) def. Govi (PSU) 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Doubles
1. Gbadamosi/Pelchat (UM) def. Vorster/Govi (PSU) 6-2
2. Carter/Orfanos (UM) def. Dong/Preda (PSU) 6-4
3. Sulz/Kincaid (UM) vs. Peri/Frey (PSU) -unfinished 5-4
Players Mentioned
