Griz fall to Cougars in Pullman

Saturday, January 30

Pullman, Wash.

11: 30 AM

Montana

Washington State

1/30/2021 5:19:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

The Grizzlies acquitted themselves well against the stiffest competition they are likely to face all season on Saturday, with the Montana netters hanging tough with Washington State in a 7-0 loss in Pullman.

Following its first win of the season on Friday at Lewis-Clark State, Montana falls to 1-2, while the Cougars advance to 1-2 after Saturday's match at WSU's Hollingbery Fieldhouse.

"The energy and concentration were at a high level today. The players are really working hard to figure things out and make good adjustments in their matches. It was an effort we can build on for sure," said head coach Steve Ascher.

Washington State got out to an early 1-0 lead in doubles, sweeping all three courts in short order. Grizzlies Maria Goheen and Ivayla Mitkova took an early 3-2 lead on court three but would eventually be overpowered by WSU's Kumhom/Jittakoat pair 6-3 in UM's best showing in the round.

However, it was in singles where the Grizzlies would make a push for an upset on three different courts.

In the premiere match of the day at position one, Montana's All-Big Sky senior Julia Ronney gave the No. 55-ranked Michaela Bayerlova all she could handle in a 6-4, 6-4 loss.

Montana sophomore Olivia Oosterbaan also pushed her opponent to the limit on court two, falling to previously-ranked Hikaru Sato 7-5, 6-4.

In the afternoon's final match, Mitkova held a late lead in the first set over Savanna Ly-Nguyen on court five and would eventually force a tiebreaker before falling 7-5 (5). The freshman would run out of steam in the second, though, losing 6-1 and keeping the Grizzlies from stealing a set from the Pac-12 Cougars.

Montana now prepares to return to the road over Valentine's Day Weekend, traveling to Idaho for two matches against BYU and Boise State in Boise.

Montana will then play at home for the first time this season in a non-conference match against Idaho State at the Peak Racquet Club in Missoula on Feb. 26