Bobcat Women Tame Wildcats

Friday, March 28

Ogden, UT

TBA

Montana State University

Weber State

MSU's No. 1 singles player Iva Parapunova recorded a 7-5, 7-5 win over Weber State's Agata Bachanek, Friday afternoon.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

3/28/2014 4:15:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Montana State women's tennis team notches Big Sky road win.

By: Tom Schulz

Using strong doubles play and the return of its No. 1 singles player Iva Parapunova, the Montana State women's tennis team held on for a 4-3 victory at Weber State, Friday afternoon.

Montana State captured the opening point winning at Nos. 2 and 3 doubles.

"Once again, we received a strong performance in doubles," MSU head coach Denise Albrecht said. "It is super important to get that first point on the board. It really sets the tone for the rest of the match in singles play."

Weber State quickly evened the score in singles as Kristi Elmer recorded a 6-2, 6-2 decision over Bobcat freshman Laura Middel at the No. 2 spot.

The Bobcats received consecutive straight set wins at No. 3 Paulina Lopez and No. 5 Wena Tsan to give MSU a 3-1 advantage. The Wildcats closed the margin to 3-2 as Michelle Warwick posted a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 win over Molly Crum at No. 6 singles.

Returning to the top spot for Montana State, after sitting out singles action on Thursday against Utah State, Parapunova pulled out a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 decision over WSU's Agata Bachanek to give MSU the match win.

"It was nice to Iva back in the line-up and have everyone playing at their normal spot," Albrecht said. "I really thought Paulina and Wena gave us a nice boost winning in straight sets to give us a little breathing room. Weber State came back to make it close, but Iva stepped-up and shut the door. It was a great team effort."

Montana State will play at Idaho State on Saturday afternoon.

Montana State 4, Weber State 3. Singles: 1). Iva Parapunova (MSU) d. Agata Bachanek 7-5, 7-5; 2) Kristi Elmer (WSU) d. Laura Middel 6-2, 6-2; 3. Paulina Lopez (MSU) d. Ashley Tanner 6-2, 6-0; 4. Thais Kurer (WSU) d. Ellie Crum 6-7, 6-3, 6-4; 5). Wena Tsan (MSU) d. Nittaya Phonharath 6-1, 6-3; 6). Michelle Warwick (WSU) d. Molly Crum 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Doubles: 1). Elmer/Bachanek (WSU) d. Parapunova/Lopez 8-6; 2). Middel/E. Crum (MSU) d. Kurer/Phonarath 8-3; 3). Tsan/M. Crum (MSU) d. Warwick/Tanner 8-5.