Montana
Weber State
Montana defeats Weber State in weekend opener
4/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The University of Montana women's tennis team started its weekend at home in style, defeating the Weber State Wildcats 5-2 on Friday afternoon.
The win improved Montana's record to 7-2 in conference play and dropped Weber State's Big Sky record to 6-4. The match may have been a preview of a conference tournament match, as Montana and Weber State are ranked No. 4 and 5 in the conference, respectively.
Coach Steve Ascher said the win may have been the best victory of the Grizzlies' Big Sky season, and will help when they head to Sacramento for the conference championships.
"I think it will help solidify a spot, depending on how we do against Northern Arizona," Ascher said. "We could see them again, down at conference, so I think it was good. They've been playing strong, I think they were 4-3 at Northern Arizona, so we knew they were going to come out and battle."
Montana started off with easy wins at No. 2 and 3 doubles. The two teams of Grizzlies jumped out with the help of the home crowd, winning 6-2 and 6-1, respectively. Weber State was able to win the No. 1 match, but the point went Montana's way.
The Wildcats soon evened the dual up at 1-all as Agata Bachanek defeated Precious Gbadamosi at No. 1 singles. Sasha Carter wouldn't let the lead last long, cruising to a 6-0, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles to remain unbeaten in conference play.
Laurence Pelchat extended the Grizzly lead to 3-1 with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles. Pelchat has been playing her best tennis lately, and Ascher says something clicked for her a couple weeks ago against UC Davis. Since then, she has been on fire.
"She's been playing very good in singles," Ascher said. "Today, there was something specific that she needed to do, and it's not something she does every day, but she was willing to do that over and over again, and that just shows the kind of mindset it takes to be a winner, you have to do whatever it takes to get the job done."
Weber State wouldn't say die and stayed in the match with a 7-5, 6-2 victory at No. 4 singles. The match was played at PEAK Health & Wellness Center, which has four courts available.
The delayed start at No. 5 and 6 put all the pressure of clinching the match on Montana's two freshmen, Cam Kincaid and Catherine Orfanos.
The pair came through big time for Montana, cruising to a pair of easy wins. Ascher said the match hung in the balance a couple of times, but his freshmen were well prepared for the situation.
"There were some interesting points in there where it could have gone either way," Ascher said, "and then the two freshmen just kind of slammed the door on it and clamped it shut, which is good because that's something they've been working really hard on and they stepped up today."
Catherine Orfanos, who earned the clinching point with a 6-3, 6-1 victory, said that the overall scoreline was definitely on her mind.
"I definitely think about it, even when we have all six courts going, everyone has their eye on the score and you know what's happening and when it's up to you," Orfanos said. "It adds a little bit of pressure, especially going on last. I haven't been in a situation where I've had to be the last match to win. It definitely adds a lot more pressure, but I think it's good that I'm a freshman and I have to deal with that."
Cam Kincaid finished the match off for Montana with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at No. 5. Ascher was proud of the performance and intensity of his two freshmen.
"Cat was very aggressive today," Ascher said. "She's been working on some stuff in her game and that aggression took over, and she served well also.
"Cam's been working on just being a little more thoughtful, thinking a little bit more through the points and constructing points a little cleaner, and I thought she did that incredibly well," Ascher said. "I think those two were great, because there could have been some tension, but once they got the lead they kind of ran with it."
The match was only the second the Grizzlies played at home this season. Orfanos is glad to be home for the final week of the season as Montana prepares for the conference tournament.
"It was really helpful," Orfanos said. "I think we all played really clean today, and we needed that going into next weekend."
Montana will be back in action tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. against Idaho State at PEAK.
Montana 5, Weber State 2
PEAK Health & Wellness Center, Missoula, Montana
April 17, 2015
Singles
1. Agata Bachanek (WSU) def. Precious Gbadamosi (UM) 6-1, 6-2
2. Sasha Carter (UM) def. Kristi Elmer (WSU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Laurence Pelchat (UM) Dominique Beauvais (WSU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Romy Dodd-Stephens (WSU) def. Hannah Sulz (UM) 7-5, 6-2
5. Cam Kincaid (UM) def. Megan Rindlisbacher (WSU) 6-3, 6-0
6. Catherine Orfanos (UM) Devi Hasan (WSU) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
1. Bachanek/Elmer (WSU) def. Gbadamosi/Pelchat (UM) 6-4
2. Carter/Orfanos (UM) def. Beauvais/Stephens (WSU) 6-2
3. Kincaid/Sulz (UM) def. Rindlisbacher/Tanner (WSU) 6-1
Order of Finish
Singles (1,2,3,4,6,5)
Doubles (3,2,1)
Players Mentioned
