Montana falls to Utah in season opener

Saturday, January 22

Salt Lake City, Utah

10 AM

Montana

Utah

1/22/2022 2:46:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

The Montana women's tennis team fell 7-0 Saturday morning in a tough non-conference battle versus Utah in Salt Lake City. The first match of the season was likely one of the toughest the Griz play throughout their spring season.

Despite being short on bodies, the Griz (0-1) were prepared to fight the Utes (3-0) to the end.

Utah got out to an early lead, sweeping doubles and clinching the first point of the match to put them up 1-0. On court one, duo Grace Haugen and Olivia Oosterbaan fell to Utah opponents Huang/Tattini 6-2.

Seniors Alex Walker and Lauren Dunlap faced the Goncharova/Dush pair, where they suffered their first duos loss of the season, 6-2. On court three, Utah won by forfeit due to the Griz being short on the travel roster.

Although doubles didn't give the Griz the momentum they were hoping for, singles are where they would make a push for an upset against the Utes.

Starting in position one was Haugen, a true freshman, where she faced formerly-ranked Linda Huang. Huang won in straight sets (6-0, 6-2), despite Haugen giving her a run for her money in the second.

Appearing on court two, Oosterbaan took on Emily Dush, giving her troubles in both sets played. Dush took the first set 6-2, but Oosterbaan wasn't giving up so easily. Despite the loss, Oosterbaan pushed Dush to her limits in the second set, making the score 5-7.

Montana's Dunlap fell in straight sets to Utah's Lindsay Hung, 2-6, 3-6 on court three, which clinched the win for the Utes, putting them up 4-0 over the Griz.

Sophomore Ivayla Mitkova battled to the end in position four, resulting in a two-set loss to Anastasia Goncharova (3-6, 2-6).

A tough matchup on court five gave the Grizzlies hope in coming away with one point on the day. Grizzly Walker faced Ute Madison Tattini, going back and forth with each other. Despite the grit, Tattini came away with straight-set wins (6-4, 6-3).

The Griz were forced to forfeit in position six, leaving the Utes to win the match 7-0.

Montana will be back on the courts Sunday at 9 a.m. to take on the Seattle Redhawks in another non-conference match at the George S. Eccles Tennis Center.