Montana falls to Montana State, 4-3, in nail-biting contest

Sunday, February 13

Bozeman, Mont.

10 AM

Montana

Montana State

Montana falls to Montana State, 4-3, in nail-biting contest

2/13/2022 4:46:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

The Montana women's tennis team took its third loss of the season to Montana State Sunday afternoon in Bozeman, Mont. The two teams went back-and-forth all day, but it was the last match that decided who left the courts with a win.

"I'm so proud of how the team responded in singles after dropping the doubles point. Grace had an awesome comeback beating a very good player for MSU. Olivia has been training well and it showed, as she performed at a high level. It was so great seeing Maria back after a break and making an impact," said head coach Steve Ascher.

The Cats took the first point of the day after clinching doubles. MSU won in all three matches to sweep the doubles. Though they swept, Grizzlies Olivia Oosterbaan and Rosie Sterk gave the Cats' Chen/Cuquerella a run for their money and took the pair into a tiebreaker.

Junior Griz Oosterbaan bounced back from doubles to win in straight-sets over Mirte Van Baelen (6-3,6-4) on court two to bring the score to 1-1.

Making her season debut for Montana, Maria Goheen put the Griz up 2-1 after winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2 in position four.

On court three, Lauren Dunlap faced Andrea Cuquerella, where she fell in three sets, 6-3, 1-6, 3-6.

In position five, Ivayla Mitkova faced JJ Chen where she fell in straight sets (5-7, 4-6), bringing the score to 2-3.

Freshman Grace Haugen, playing in position one against Marta Garcia-Reboredo, came back to win in three sets after being down after the first (5-7, 6-4, 6-4). Haugen knotted up the match 3-3 to bring the match down to the wire.

Senior Griz Alex Walker started off strong in the first set versus Jazmin Lerman, winning 7-6 (5), but fell in the next two 4-6, 2-6.

"The loss is gutting, but we competed our tails off and the match went down to the wire. We're looking forward to learning from this and continuing to grow from this experience," added Ascher.

The Griz will be back in action for a three-match tour in Las Vegas, Nev. from Feb. 18-20 to face Dixie State, UNLV and North Dakota.