Montana closes season with a 5-2 win over Sacramento State

Saturday, April 9

Missoula, Mont.

10 AM

Montana

Sacramento State

Photo by: Tommy Martino/UM Athletics

Montana closes season with a 5-2 win over Sacramento State

4/9/2022 2:32:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score Photo Gallery

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana women's tennis team concluded its 2021-22 season Saturday morning after defeating Sacramento State, 5-2, at the PEAK Racquet Club. The Griz (7-13, 2-6 BSC) celebrated seniors Alex Walker and Claudia Reguant to start off the day versus the Hornets (3-15, 2-3 BSC). The celebration of the seniors didn't end there, though. Both Walker and Reguant helped clinch the win for the Griz and ended their collegiate careers on a high note.

"Obviously it was a great way to close the season. I think it's really special that the seniors got to close it out and they both got a chance to win on senior day. That doesn't happen all the time. It was super special," said head coach Steve Ascher.

"The team did really well in doubles as well. Getting that first point makes a difference in the match, so that was huge. I just want to thank Chase and Jason, the assistant and head men's tennis coaches, as well. Chase has been helping us the last for matches and it's been really nice to have a different voice and somebody brings him some more energy into the group and it's just been a pleasure; we're really thankful for him," added Ascher.

The Griz came out firing, cruising past the Hornets in doubles to clinch the first point of the match and put them up 1-0 early on in the day. UM's Olivia Oosterbaan and Maria Goheen took the first match over Ejsmont/Tagaloa, 6-1, on court two to give the Griz some momentum. Shortly after, Hornets Ferreros/Johnson came back on court three to win 6-3 over Grizzlies Walker and Ivayla Mitkova. Lauren Dunlap and Grace Haugen came through on court one, winning 6-1 over Yotova/Alter to clinch the doubles point.

Haugen kept the ball rolling from doubles into singles play after she defeated Hornet Weronika Esjmont in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, in position one.

Grizzly Goheen continued the momentum for Montana on court four as she took down Paige Alter in straight sets (6-3, 6-3), bringing the score to 3-0.

Sacramento State started to gain momentum of its own after Maddy Ferreros took down Dunlap in straight sets in position three (6-3, 6-4).

On court two, Oosterbaan fell in straight sets to Tsveti Yotova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, bringing the score to 3-2 overall.

Senior Walker made a major comeback in position five while going up against Alexis Johnson. Walker cruised to a 6-2 win in the first set but was down for the majority of the second set. The Grizzly tied it up at 5 after being down, then won 7-5 to clinch the win for Montana.

Reguant finished the match the right way after making another nail-biting comeback for the Griz in position six versus Grace McSkimming. The senior fell in the first set 6-1 but came back to win the second set 6-4. The two then went into a superset tiebreaker, where Reguant won 11-9 after being down for the majority of the tiebreaker, bringing the final score to 5-2.

Seniors Walker and Reguant had some thoughts after an amazing day for them.

"It's been really emotional just because I can't believe my last match came so fast. The last four years went by in a blur. These girls are all my best friends and having them out there supporting me today through the win to clinch the match was just so amazing," said senior Walker.

"It honestly feels really, really good. To leave the courts here at Montana with a win feels a lot better than a loss, and you always want to leave with a good taste in your mouth; it definitely feels really good. I feel like I deserved that win because I've been working so hard. I feel like it was a very well-deserved win for everyone. It's very rewarding," said Reguant.

This match concludes Montana's 2021-22 season and the team will now look forward to the 2022-23 season, with the addition of a couple of new faces.