Montana
Montana State
Montana takes down Bobcats in Bozeman
4/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The rivalry between Montana and Montana State is very competitive, but the women's tennis team in Missoula has firmly established that it is the premier tennis school in Montana.
The Grizzlies defeated Montana State (9-10/2-4 BSC) 6-1 in Bozeman Saturday to improve to 5-1 in conference play. Montana has not lost to the Bobcats since 2009. Coach Steve Ascher said it is important to win the rivalry match.
"I thought that was one of the tougher Montana State teams we have competed against recently," Ascher said. "We have a nice relationship with their team, but the rivalry is a strong one in the state so it's important to get a win."
Montana took a 7-6 lead in the Brawl of the Wild series, which is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana and Town Pump. Montana won the series 14-3 last year.
The Griz got things started with wins in the first two doubles matches to take the doubles point. Sasha Carter and Catherine Orfanos got things started for the Griz with a 6-4 win at No. 2 doubles.
Then, Seniors Precious Gbadamosi and Laurence Pelchat clinched the point with their fourth straight conference win, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles. The win improved the pair's record to 5-1 in conference matches.
"We came out strong in doubles today," Ascher said. "To get the doubles point is important and we continue to emphasize it."
The singles competition followed much of the same script as the doubles. Montana started off with a 6-3, 6-2 win by Laurence Pelchat at No. 3, followed by a win from Sasha Carter at No. 2.
Carter's win improved her record to a perfect 6-0 in conference play, which includes one match at No. 1 and the rest in the two spot.
Once again it was Gbadamosi who provided the clincher, winning 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 at No. 1 singles to put Montana ahead 4-0 and secure the win for the visitors.
The match was already decided, but it was another good opportunity for Montana's younger players to gain more experience as they head towards the conference tournament.
Hannah Sulz, a sophomore, won 4-6, 7-6, 10-8 at No. 4 singles and freshman Cam Kincaid won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, at No. 5. The Bobcats picked up their only win at No. 6 singles, where Molly Crum defeated Catherine Orfanos.
Ascher highlighted the play of Sulz, who won in a third set tiebreak, and Pelchat's second consecutive win.
"It's nice to see Hannah come through in singles, pulling out a close match," he said. "Also, Laurence has put together back-to-back wins and really is competing well."
The win put Montana in third place in the Big Sky conference at 5-1. They sit a game behind Idaho, while Sacramento State leads the conference with a flawless 9-0 record. The top six teams qualify for the Big Sky Tournament.
Montana 6, Montana State 1
Bozeman, Montana
April 4, 2015
Singles competition
1. Gbadamosi, Precious (UM) def. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) 7-6 (7-2), 6-3
2. Carter, Sasha (UM) def. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) 6-1, 7-5
3. Pelchat, Laurence (UM) def. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Sulz, Hannah (UM) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 4-6, 7-6, 10-8
5. Kincaid, Cam (UM) def. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) 6-4, 6-3
6. CRUM, Molly (MSU) def. Orfanos, Catherine (UM) 6-7 (1-7), 6-2, 10-8
Doubles competition
1. GBADAMOSI, Precious/PELCHAT, Laurence (UM) def. MIDDEL, Laura/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 6-3
2. CARTER, Sasha/ORFANOS, Catherine (UM) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi/BATES, Liana (MSU) 6-4
3. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/CRUM, Molly (MSU) def. KINCAID, Cam/SULZ, Hannah (UM) 7-5
Match Notes:
Montana 6-9, 5-1
Montana State 9-10, 2-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,2,1,4,5,6)
Players Mentioned
