Montana State women shoot down T-Birds

Friday, March 20

BOZEMAN

2 p.m.

Montana State University

Southern Utah University

Great Falls product Molly Crum posted a straight set win at No. 6 singles for the Bobcats on Friday afternoon.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

3/20/2015 6:25:00 PM | Women's Tennis

“We say it every match,” MSU Head Coach Denise Albrecht said. “Doubles sets the tone for the entire match. If you can get the first point, it puts the pressure on the opponents.”

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State claimed the opening doubles point and freshman Angelina Philippova cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 5 singles to clinch a 6-1 victory for the Bobcats over Southern Utah, Friday afternoon in the Anderson Tennis Center.

For the second time in the last three outings, Montana State (9-7, 2-2) swept all three doubles matches to take an early 1-0 advantage.

"We say it every match," MSU Head Coach Denise Albrecht said. "Doubles sets the tone for the entire match. If you can get the first point, it puts the pressure on the opponents."

Albrecht didn't have to worry about any added pressure as sophomores Jessica Brycki and Naomi Holopainen posted convincing straight set wins at Nos. 3 and 4 singles, respectively to give MSU a 3-0 lead. SUU got on the board at No. 2 singles as Veronika Rogova rallied for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Wanda Holopainen.

The Thunderbirds momentum didn't last long as Philippova posted a 6-1, 6-1 win over Laura Martin to clinch the match for MSU. The Bobcats closed out the contest as Laura Middel fought back for a 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 win at the top spot over Evgenia Marushko and Great Falls product Molly Crum registered a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Emily Lemmon at No. 6 singles.

"We competed," Albrecht said. "We have a 'play every ball' mentality and I thought we were very focused. It was a super effort."

The Bobcats will play at UC Davis and Sacramento State next Saturday.

Montana State 6, Southern Utah 1. Singles: 1. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. MARUSHKO, Evgenia (SUU) 2-6, 7-6, 6-4; 2. ROGOVA, Veronika (SUU) def. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2; 3. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. DE ENRIQUE, Teresa (SUU) 6-1, 6-3; 4. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) def. PAYERAS, Alba (SUU) 6-0, 6-1; 5. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. MARTIN, Laura (SUU) 6-1, 6-1; 6. CRUM, Molly (MSU) def. LEMMON, Emily (SUU) 6-1, 6-0. Doubles: 1. MIDDEL, Laura/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. ROGOVA, Veronika/MARTIN, Laura (SUU) 6-4; 2. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi/BATES, Liana (MSU) def. DE ENRIQUE, Teresa/MARUSHKO, Evgenia (SUU) 6-4; 3. CRUM, Molly/PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. LEMMON, Emily/PAYERAS, Alba (SUU) 6-2.