Grizzlies down Fighting Hawks in Big Sky opener

Sunday, February 14

Missoula, Mont.

8:00 AM

Montana

North Dakota *

2/14/2016 2:35:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana women's tennis team earned its first win of the season Sunday morning, a decisive 6-1 victory over North Dakota at the Peak Racquet Club in Missoula.

The Grizzlies (1-4, 1-0 BSC) started the match rolling to a win in doubles, followed by winning five of six singles matches over the Fighting Hawks (1-8, 0-2 BSC).

Montana coach Stever Ascher was pleased to see his team succeed considering the rescheduling that needed to be done for the match to happen.

"It's nice to get a win," he said. "We are grateful that the Peak was able to reschedule with us and that fans showed up to support the program."

(2/14/2016) WTennis: vs. North Dakota (2.14.16)

The Griz got rolling early by winning the doubles point. Senior Haley Driver and junior Francis Dean fell in their match 6-3 at No. 1, however sophomore Cam Kincaid and junior Hannah Sulz won 6-1 at No. 2, and junior Stanzi Stuijt and freshman Lidia Dukic won 6-2 at No. 3.

When singles began the Grizzlies showed no sign of slowing down their tempo.

Driver lost a tough match, 6-4, 6-3, to Lacey Sprinkel at No. 1. Driver was picked up immediately by Dean, who won 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 against Mimi Yunker at No. 2.

Dukic won 7-6, 6-3 against Faith Lee at No. 3, Sulz won 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 against Preethi Kasilingam at No. 4, and Kincaid won 6-4, 6-3 against Aliza Deming at No. 5.

Finally, at No. 6, junior Catherine Orfanos won 6-0, 6-2 against Mary Wessman. In an exhibition match, junior Ana Carbo won 8-2 against Courtney Brackin.

When it comes to conference matches the Grizzlies will be the first to tell you there isn't any lack of intensity displayed by either team.

"It was really intense," Sulz said. "We were a little nervous, but once matches began we started playing hard, especially when you're home in front of your fans."

Post-match Sulz was asked if, similar to the football and basketball programs, the tennis team feels a home-field advantage against opponents.

"Yes. We call the Peak our fortress and defend it," she said. "We also want to win against a conference rival in front of our fans. We take great pride in defending our home field."

With confidence high and energy surging, Sulz wasn't shy to answer how she feels the team is feeling with more Big Sky matches approaching.

"Good. We still have things to work on, but we've shown great improvement in a short amount of time," she said.

Coach Ascher's disposition was similar to that of his players.

"We will continue to grow and improve in two weeks moving forward before the Bobcats come to Missoula," he said. Montana will host Montana State and Lewis-Clark State at the Peak on Saturday, Feb. 27.

When asked about winning the Border War against North Dakota and knowing the Bobcats, who also defeated UND 6-1 this weekend, will arrive to play the Grizzlies on the 27th, his enthusiasm was noted.

"It's always good to win against a conference rival," he said. "When Montana State arrives on the 27th we hope to get a big crowd to support the ladies. There is a lot of pride and intensity that goes into these games."

Montana 6, North Dakota 1
Feb. 14, 2016 at Missoula, Mont. (Peak Racquet Club)

Singles competition
No. 1 Lacey Sprinkel (UND) def. Haley Driver (UM) 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 Francis Dean (UM) def. Mimi Yunker (UND) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
No. 3 Lidia Dukic (UM) def. Faith Lee (UND) 7-6, 6-3
No. 4 Hannah Sulz (UM) def. Preethi Kasilingam (UND) 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
No. 5 Cam Kincaid (UM) def. Aliza Deming (UND) 6-4, 6-3
No. 6 Catherine Orfanos (UM) def. Mary Wessman (UND) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition
No. 1 Lacey Sprinkel/Mimi Yunker (UND) def. Haley Driver/Francis Dean (UM) 6-3
No. 2 Cam Kincaid/Hannah Sulz (UM) def. Faith Lee/Preethi Kasilingman (UND) 6-1
No. 3 Stanzi Stuijt/Lidia Dukic (UM) def. Aliza Deming/Courtney Brackin (UND) 6-2

Match Notes
North Dakota: 1-8, 0-2 BSC
Montana: 1-4, 1-0 BSC