Griz pick up first win of season against GCU

Saturday, February 1

Missoula, Mont.

9 AM

Montana

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Derek Johnson

2/1/2020 6:35:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana women's tennis team picked up its first win of the season with a strong 5-2 win over a competitive Grand Canyon University team out of the Western Athletic Conference in Missoula on Saturday morning.

The Grizzlies improved to 1-3 on the season while pushing the lopes down to 0-3 in the early going of the 2020 season.

Montana started out hot after winning two out of three matches in doubles play, showing early that they were ready to give the Lopes a hardnosed battle.

Lauren Dunlap and Alex Walker proved once again that they are a force to be reckoned with at the number three spot on the doubles roster after a dominating 6-2 performance helping Montana get to an early lead.

On court one, Julia Ronney and Olivia Oosterbaan clinched the round for the Griz with a 6-4 win over GCU's Occhipinti/Buhr pair to seal the opening point for Montana.

As singles play rolled around, the Griz jumped out to yet another early lead showing tough play throughout the lineup.

Montana was led by Ronney, an All-Big Sky junior, who won her singles match in a quick two-set fashion (6-2, 6-3) that helped ignite the fire under the rest of the young roster.

"She is just doing what she does," said head coach Steve Ascher. "And she's getting a little bit better and more mature every time."

On court three, Maria Goheen continued to show why she belongs at the number three spot. The freshman won in straight sets (6-2, 7-5) to clinch the win on court three.

"To come out as a freshman and win a deciding point in just two sets is awesome for her," said Ascher.

Closing out the weekend with their first win of the season pushes the Griz in the right direction as they prepare to head out for a long road game stretch, not playing another home game in Missoula until March 6th against the University of Portland.

The Grizzlies' next action will be February 8th in East Lansing, Mich. taking on the Michigan State Spartans.