Sophomore Jessica Brycki
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Women’s Tennis Team Finishes Strong Fall Season at ITA Regional
10/21/2014 10:54:00 AM | Women's Tennis
“Considering we only had two kids who saw significant playing time from last spring and three newcomers, I thought we did a super job competing against some of the best players in the region,” said MSU head coach Denise Albrecht, who enters her 15th season at the helm of the Bobcat squad. “It’s been awhile since we’ve had a kid playing on the final day of the tournament.”
The Montana State women's tennis team put the wraps on its non-traditional fall tournament season at the USTA/ITA Regional Championships, last weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Six Bobcat players competed in the five-day tournament in both singles and doubles play against schools from the Mountain West, Western Athletics, West Coast and Big Sky Conferences and The Summit League.
"Considering we only had two kids who saw significant playing time from last spring and three newcomers, I thought we did a super job competing against some of the best players in the region," said MSU head coach Denise Albrecht, who enters her 15th season at the helm of the Bobcat squad. "It's been awhile since we've had a kid playing on the final day of the tournament."
Albrecht was referring to sophomore Laura Middel. Middel dropped her opening match to New Mexico State's Rimpledeep Kaur 6-0, 6-3, in the field of 128 players. The product of Hoogezand, Netherlands worked her way through consolation play with wins over Nevada, Air Force, Colorado State and Boise State, before losing 6-1, 7-6 (3) in the semifinals to Denver's Gracia Mboko.
"Laura played great all week," Albrecht said. "She really got into a nice rhythm and fought for every point."
Also dropping her opening round in the tournament was sophomore transfer Naomi Holopainen. The native of Lahti, Finland also did damage in the consolation bracket with victories over Northern Colorado and Air Force, before succumbing 6-3, 6-4 to Mboko in the quarterfinals.
"The twins (Naomi and Wanda Holopainen), along with Jessica Brycki, Molly Crum and freshman Angelina Phillipova were able to gain experience and confidence," Albrecht said. "We're very excited for the season ahead."
MSU will look to improve upon its 9-11 overall and 6-4 Big Sky Conference records from the 2014 campaign. In addition, the Bobcats will look to continue its six-match home unbeaten streak.
The Bobcats will play a doubleheader at MSU Billings on Saturday.
Six Bobcat players competed in the five-day tournament in both singles and doubles play against schools from the Mountain West, Western Athletics, West Coast and Big Sky Conferences and The Summit League.
"Considering we only had two kids who saw significant playing time from last spring and three newcomers, I thought we did a super job competing against some of the best players in the region," said MSU head coach Denise Albrecht, who enters her 15th season at the helm of the Bobcat squad. "It's been awhile since we've had a kid playing on the final day of the tournament."
Albrecht was referring to sophomore Laura Middel. Middel dropped her opening match to New Mexico State's Rimpledeep Kaur 6-0, 6-3, in the field of 128 players. The product of Hoogezand, Netherlands worked her way through consolation play with wins over Nevada, Air Force, Colorado State and Boise State, before losing 6-1, 7-6 (3) in the semifinals to Denver's Gracia Mboko.
"Laura played great all week," Albrecht said. "She really got into a nice rhythm and fought for every point."
Also dropping her opening round in the tournament was sophomore transfer Naomi Holopainen. The native of Lahti, Finland also did damage in the consolation bracket with victories over Northern Colorado and Air Force, before succumbing 6-3, 6-4 to Mboko in the quarterfinals.
"The twins (Naomi and Wanda Holopainen), along with Jessica Brycki, Molly Crum and freshman Angelina Phillipova were able to gain experience and confidence," Albrecht said. "We're very excited for the season ahead."
MSU will look to improve upon its 9-11 overall and 6-4 Big Sky Conference records from the 2014 campaign. In addition, the Bobcats will look to continue its six-match home unbeaten streak.
The Bobcats will play a doubleheader at MSU Billings on Saturday.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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