Griz get big wins in doubles at Washington State Hidden Duals

Thursday, September 26

Pullman, Wash.

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Montana

Washington State Team Invite

Griz get big wins in doubles at Washington State Hidden Duals

9/30/2024 5:13:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana women's tennis team picked up some big individual and team wins at the Washington State Hidden Duals tournament in Pullman over the weekend, with Grizzly veterans and newcomers alike finding success against some of the top teams in the region.

Players from Idaho, the University of Portland, and the host Cougars competed at the Hidden Duals tourney alongside Montana. In the hidden dual format, each match consists of singles against one opponent, and doubles against another.

The Griz found most of their success on the doubles court, beating both WSU and Portland on Friday and earning select singles wins throughout the weekend.

"We played doubles at a very high level on Friday. Coming out and playing with high energy and intention against Washington State and the University of Portland, showed where we can compete and what we can build on," said head coach Steve Ascher.

"In singles, we had some good wins and showed that we could improve and battle smarter as the weekend progressed. It was great to learn more about our new players and see the returners competing at a high level."

Montana was led by senior Grace Haugen, who went 4-2 overall, earning three doubles wins with her partner, freshman Monika Fizova, and taking a singles win over Nadine Arbaizer Martinez of Portland 6-2, 6-1.

Fizova, playing in just her second collegiate tournament, had the best record for the Grizzlies at 5-1 overall. She went undefeated at 3-0 in doubles with Haugen and picked up two big singles wins over WSU No. 5 Chisato Kanemaki in a superbreaker (2-6,6-3,10-6), and Portland's Lexie Flores (6-4,6-2).

Kelsey Phillips, the reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year, also earned some impressive results, partnering with sophomore Piper Freeman for two doubles wins and beating Idaho No. 1 Valentina Rodas (6-2,6-3) in singles.

"I loved the format and the chance to get players experience a competitive environment. You felt the pressure and tension created in the team format, so that was exciting," Ascher added.

"We were enthusiastic about how players were learning in the moment and working to adapt to matches as they performed. So much of the fall is for players to get involved in tough matches, learn to stretch themselves out of their comfort zones, learn how to ask more of themselves, and dig deep to compete."

Montana now turns its attention to the premiere fall tournament of the year as the Griz head to Las Cruces, New Mexico, for the ITA Mountain Regional Oct. 16-21.

Washington State Hidden Duals – Montana Results

9/27/24
Montana vs Washington State (doubles)
1. Phillips / Freeman (UM) def Markov / Abouelsaad (WSU) 6-2
2. Haugen / Fizova (UM) def Nakagawa / Kanemaki (WSU) 6-4
3. Puvill / Satishbabu (WSU) def Prichard / Moir (UM) 6-3

Montana vs University of Portland (doubles)
1. Phillips / Freeman (UM) def Dimitrijevic / Flores (UP) 6-4
2. Haugen / Fizova (UM) def Rubio Perez / Arbaizar Martinez (UP) 6-3
3. Moir / Prichard (UM) def Canubida / Marquart (UP) 6-3

Montana vs Idaho (singles)
1. Kelsey Phillips (UM) def Valentina Rodas (UI) 6-2,6-3
2. Hanea Koprowska (UI) def Grace Haugen (UM) 6-2,6-2
3. Naomi Schraeder (UI) def Piper Freeman (UM) 6-3,6-3
4. Chenyue Xu (UI) def Kate Prichard (UM) 5-7,7-5,10-4
5. Selin Sepken (UI) def Monika Fizova (UM) 6-4,7-6(5)
6. Ida Johansson (UI) def Olivia Moir (UM) 6-4,6-1

9/28/24
Montana vs Idaho (doubles)
1. Rodas / Beckx (UI) def Phillips / Freeman (UM) 6-2
2. Haugen / Fizova (UM) def Xu / Schraeder (UI) 7-6 (7)
3. Johansson / Sepken (UI) def Moir / Prichard (UM) 6-3

Montana vs Washington State (singles)
1. Yura Nakagawa (WSU) def Kelsey Phillips (UM) 6-3,6-4
2. Hania Abouelsaad (WSU) def Grace Haugen 6-1,6-2
3. Martina Markov (WSU) def Piper Freeman (UM) 6-2,6-1
4. Martina Puvill (WSU) def Kate Prichard (UM) 6-2,6-4
5. Monika Fizova (UM) def Chisato Kanemaki (WSU) 2-6,6-3,10-6
6. Madhu Satishbabu (WSU) def Olivia Moir (UM) 6-1,6-4

9/29/24
Montana vs University of Portland (singles)
1. Alaia Rubio Perez (UP) def Kelsey Phillips (UM) 2-6,6-2,10-8
2. Grace Haugen (UM) def Nadine Arbaizer Martinez (UP) 6-2,6-1
3. Isabella Marquart (UP) def Piper Freeman (UM) 6-2,7-6(4)
4. Aleksandra Dimitrijevic (UP) def Kate Prichard (UM) 7-6(3),6-3
5. Monika Fizova (UM) def Lexie Flores (UP) 6-4,6-2
6. Kylie Canubida (UP) def Olivia Moir (UM) 7-5, 2-6,10-5