Bobcat Women Split Big Sky Road Matches

Saturday, April 11

Cheney, WA

10 a.m.

Montana State University

Eastern Washington University

Sophomore Wanda Holopainen

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

4/13/2015 3:06:00 PM | Women's Tennis

“We really competed well,” MSU Head Coach Denise Albrecht said. “Any time you can go on the road in Big Sky play and come away with a win is a plus. Eastern Washington was down a spot, but we did a nice job closing out the match.”

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State women's tennis team split a pair of Big Sky Conference road matches last weekend, defeating Eastern Washington 5-2, before falling to Idaho on Sunday afternoon.

The Bobcats opened the weekend downing league rival Eastern Washington in Cheney. MSU captured the opening doubles point via a default at No. 3 and a 6-3 decision at the No. 2 spot. Montana State went up 2-0 as the Eagles defaulted No. 6 singles. MSU's twin combo of Wanda and Naomi Holopainen each won in straight sets, while freshman Angie Philippova recorded an 8-6 win at No. 5 singles to close out the scoring.

"We really competed well," MSU Head Coach Denise Albrecht said. "Any time you can go on the road in Big Sky play and come away with a win is a plus. Eastern Washington was down a spot, but we did a nice job closing out the match."

MSU ran into one of the hottest squads in the league on Sunday as Idaho handed the Bobcats a 7-0 setback in Moscow. Playing through cold, wind and hail, the Bobcats forced two singles matches into three sets as both Holopainen sisters went the distance.

"The score isn't indicative of the way we played," Albrecht said. "Idaho is a very strong team, and despite the conditions, we battled for every point."

Montana State will close out its regular season when it hosts Idaho State on Friday, Northern Arizona on Saturday and Weber State on Sunday in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.

Montana State 5, Eastern Washington 2. Singles: 1. SMITH, Janaya (EWU) def. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) 6-2, 6-2; 2. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) def. YOUNG, Dani (EWU) 7-5, 6-0; 3. BLESSING, Erin (EWU) def. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 7-5, 6-2; 4. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) def. DOMINGO, Katrina (EWU) 6-3, 6-4; 5. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. LOPEZ, Carolina (EWU) 8-6; 6. CRUM, Molly (MSU) def. No player (EWU), by default. Doubles: 1. MIDDEL, Laura/HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) vs. SMITH, Janaya/DOMINGO, Katrina (EWU) no result; 2. BRYCKI, Jessica/HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) def. YOUNG, Dani/BLESSING, Erin (EWU) 6-3; 3. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/CRUM, Molly (MSU) def. No player/No player (EWU), by default.

Idaho 7, Montana State 0. Singles: 1. Bykova, Galina (IDAHO) def. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) 6-4, 6-1; 2. Marx, Emmie (IDAHO) def. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2; 3. Vickers, Sophie (IDAHO) def. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 6-4, 7-5; 4. Badillos, Lucia (IDAHO) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 6-7, 6-4, 10-8; 5. Barcenilla, Belen (IDAHO) def. BATES, Liana (MSU) 6-0, 6-2; 6. Flores, Beatriz (IDAHO) def. CRUM, Molly (MSU) 6-3, 6-2. Doubles: 1. Marx, Emmie/Bykova, Galina (IDAHO) def. MIDDEL, Laura/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 6-4; 2. Barcenilla, Belen/Vickers, Sophie (IDAHO) vs. BATES, Liana/HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 5-3, unfinished; 3. Flores, Beatriz/Badillos, Lucia (IDAHO) def. CRUM, Molly/PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) 6-0.