Montana
Southern Utah
Griz win home opener against Southern Utah
3/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The Missoula crowd came out to support the Grizzly women went home happy after the match, as Montana defeated Southern Utah 6-1 to remain perfect in Big Sky play.
Montana (5-6/4-0 BSC) won the doubles match against the Thunderbirds (1-6/0-3 BSC)within the first half-hour, as they earned quick 6-0 victories at No. 2 and 3. They would get the sweep of doubles and claim the point as Sasha Carter and Catherine Ofanos won the No. 1 doubles match 6-4.
The Griz received a scare early in the singles competition, as Carter dropped the first set of No. 1 singles and Laurence Pelchat fell at No. 2 6-2, 6-7 (8-6), 6-2. Carter would answer by winning the next two sets, and the rest of the Grizzlies responded.
Hannah Sulz and Cam Kincaid dominated the middle of the line0up, both winning by identical 6-0, 6-1 scores. Catherine Orfanos won the first set 7-5, but fell in the second set 2-6. With the team match already clinched by the Griz, Orfanos played a 10-point tiebreak for the third set, winning 10-2.
Anabel Carbo Estruch won in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. The entire Grizzly line-up was forced to play a spot above their normal place, as the normal No. 1 Precious Gbadamosi is out with a high-ankle sprain.
Coach Steve Ascher was happy with his team played, and had a good message for those who came to support the Griz.
"It was fun playing in front of the home crowd," he said. "I thought that was a good crowd, especially because it was a little late in the day, but I'm really thankful for all the people who took time out of the day to come support."
He believes the quick success in doubles showed his girls the agression they needed to have for the whole day.
"I think the doubles was nice," Ascher said. "I think we came out really strong in the doubles and really set the tone."
With Gbadamosi out, his team had a unique challenge of playing up, and they rose to it. It was also nice to see Carbo Estruch play, as she has seen limited court time this year.
"It was nice to see Ana play and get a win and then Sasha had a really good comeback at No. 1 singles against a really good player," Ascher said. "Other than that, it was another win which is good for the standings."
The team will head to California next weekend at the start of spring break for three matches, including a conference match against Sacramento State.
"I think it's going to be exciting going to California and playing outdoors," Ascher said. "I think we actually play really well outdoors as a team. I'm just excited to get down there and its going to be three great matches next weekend and it's spring break, so hopefully that will help their play with having not as much academic stuff to do so they can focus on tennis, which is rare."
Montana 6, Southern Utah 1
PEAK Health and Wellness Center, Missoula, Montana
March 21, 2015
Singles
1. Sasha Carter (UM) def. Veronika Rogova (SUU) 6-7 (7-3), 6-0, 6-2
2. Evgenia Marushko (SUU) def. Laurence Pelchat (UM) 6-2, 6-7 (8-6), 6-2
3. Hannah Sulz (UM) def. Alba Payeras Soler (SUU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Cam Kincaid (UM) def. Teresa De Enrique Schmidt (SUU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Catherine Orfanos (UM) def. Laura Martin Lozano (SUU) 7-5, 2-6, 1-0 (10-2)
6. Anabel Carbo Estruch (UM) def. Emily Lemmon (SUU) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles
1. Carter/Orfanos (UM) def. Rogova/Martin Lozano (SUU) 6-4
2. Kincaid/Sulz (UM) def. Marushko/De Enrique (SUU) 6-0
3. Carbo/Pelchat (UM) def. Lemmon/Payeras Soler (SUU) 6-0
Players Mentioned
