Bobcat Women’s Tennis Squad Clipped by T-Birds

Monday, April 15

Bozeman, MT

1 p.m.

Montana State University

Southern Utah

Montana State junior Ellie Crum posted a 6-4, 6-1 win over Southern Utah's Madeline Skaras on Monday afternoon.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

4/15/2013 6:34:00 PM | Women's Tennis

A slow start followed by a strong finish wasn’t enough for the Montana State women’s tennis team as the Bobcats dropped a narrow 4-3 decision to Southern Utah, Monday afternoon in the Anderson Tennis Center.

By: Tom Schulz

A slow start followed by a strong finish wasn't enough for the Montana State women's tennis team as the Bobcats dropped a narrow 4-3 decision to Southern Utah, Monday afternoon in the Anderson Tennis Center.

Southern Utah (10-6, 5-3) jumped out to a quick 1-0 advantage winning the doubles point, by virtue of its victories at Nos. 1 and 2. Montana State's (5-11, 4-5) No. 3 tandem of Ellie Crum (Great Falls) and Wena Tsan posted MSU's lone victory in doubles play with an 8-4 decision over Madeline Skaras and Afton Staheli

“We've had pretty good luck in doubles play the past few weeks, but today, I thought we just weren't ready from the start,” said MSU head coach Denise Albrecht. “Hopefully, we learned that we need to come out with more fire.”

SUU opened singles play with a straight set win at No. 3, before Crum put the Bobcats on the board at No. 4 singles with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 victory over Skaras.

The Thunderbirds pushed its advantage to 3-1 as Aleksandra Ivanova rallied for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 decision over Paulina Lopez at No. 2 singles. Southern Utah clinched the match as Olya Kunz fought off Charlotta Hjalmarsson 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 at the top spot.

The Bobcats finished strong closing the final score to 4-3 as Tsan and Liana Bates (Kalispell) each posted wins at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively. Tsan came back from a 5-2 deficit in the opening set to post a 7-5, 6-1 win over Anastasiia Vasileva.

“Our Montana kids (Crum and Bates) did a nice job and gave us a good effort in singles action,” Albrecht said. “And, Wena has really been playing well the past few weeks.”

Tsan, a junior from Kuching, Malaysia, has posted three consecutive victories at No. 5 singles.

MSU will look to clinch a Big Sky Conference Tournament spot next week when it faces Idaho State on Sunday at 9 a.m.

Results:

Southern Utah 4, Montana State 3

Singles: 1. KUNZ, Olya (SUU) def. HJALMARSSON, Char (MSU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3; 2. IVANOVA, Aleksandra (SUU) def. LOPEZ, Paulina (MSU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1; 3. ROGOVA, Veronika (SUU) def. PARAPUNOVA, Iva (MSU) 6-0, 6-1; 4. CRUM, Ellie (MSU) def. SKARAS, Madeline (SUU) 6-4, 6-1; 5. TSAN, Wena (MSU) def. VASILEVA, Anastasiia (SUU) 7-5, 6-1; 6. BATES, Liana (MSU) def. STAHELI, Afton (SUU) 6-1, 6-0. Doubles: 1. KUNZ, Olya/IVANOVA, Aleksandra (SUU) def. HJALMARSSON, Char/LOPEZ, Paulina (MSU) 8-3; 2. ROGOVA, Veronika/VASILEVA, Anastasiia (SUU) def. PARAPUNOVA, Iva/BATES, Liana (MSU) 8-1; 3. CRUM, Ellie/TSAN, Wena (MSU) def. SKARAS, Madeline/STAHELI, Afton (SUU) 8-4.