Griz beat Bears, remain perfect in Big Sky play

Sunday, March 17

Greeley, Colo.

10 AM

Montana

Northern Colorado

3/17/2019 3:54:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score PDF Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

It's March, and the motto is "survive and advance."

It may not be basketball, but the saying goes for the Montana women's tennis team who bounced back from a loss in the doubles round to defeat Northern Colorado 4-3 on the road in Greeley Sunday, improving the Griz to 3-0 in Big Sky play.

"That's always a tough spot on the road, getting down love-one," said head coach Steve Ascher.

"We played smart. UNC is a really competitive team, and it was a raucous atmosphere. I thought everyone did a good job. It's a good win."

The future of Griz tennis came through for the Griz with freshmen Lauren Dunlap and sophomore Julia Ronney picking up singles wins, and freshman Alex Walker clinching the match with a win on court six. Senior Nathalie Joanlanne picked up Montana's other win in straight sets on court four.

Walker's win was the first Big Sky win over her career, coming just days after a tight three-set loss against Idaho State, while Dunlap moves to 2-1 in league play.

Ronney, who earned All-Big Sky honors as a freshman, remains undefeated on court one in conference action this season, and Joanlanne picked up her second league win as well.

"Julia pulled out a tough three-setter and the two freshmen getting straight-set wins was huge. It's cool that wins are coming from every direction. It's not the same people all the time. Everyone is contributing," said Ascher.

With the bulk of the conference schedule around the corner and only the top six teams advancing to the tournament, the win has significant implications for UM's postseason hopes.

Three of UM's final seven league matches are all in the friendly confines of the Peak Racquet Club in Missoula, and two come against a pair of the top teams in the league: Northern Arizona and Weber State.

"We're in a good place. Now, can we put in the work and capitalize on being in a good position? They're working hard and learning every day. That's the big thing," says Ascher.

Montana now turns its attention to more Big Sky play, with a trip to Sacramento State on the horizon over spring break on March 24, followed by a match at UC Davis on March 26.

Montana 4, Northern Colorado 3

3/17/2019 at Greeley, Colorado (UNC)

Singles competition
1. RONNEY, Julia (UM) def. BATTERSBY, Anna (UNC) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2. DUNLAP, Lauren (UM) def. MORA, Raffa (UNC) 6-2, 6-4
3. KETA, Sandra (UNC) def. BOSTROM, Bianca (UM) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4
4. JOANLANNE, Nathalie (UM) def. DOHERTY, Madeline (UNC) 7-5, 6-2
5. LARSON, Synclair (UNC) def. DUKIC, Lidia (UM) 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 10-5
6. WALKER, Alex (UM) def. STANTON, Natalie (UNC) 7-5, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. MORA, Raffa/BATTERSBY, Anna (UNC) def. RONNEY, Julia/BOSTROM, Bianca (UM) 6-4
2. DUNLAP, Lauren/JOANLANNE, Nathalie (UM) def. DOHERTY, Madeline/LARSON, Synclair (UNC) 6-0
3. KETA, Sandra/STANTON, Natalie (UNC) def. WALKER, Alex/DUKIC, Lidia (UM) 6-3

Match Notes
Montana 3-10 (3-0 BSC)
Northern Colorado 6-8 (1-4 BSC)
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (2,4,1,3,6,5)