Bobcat Women’s Tennis Team Tames Bengals

Friday, April 17

BOZEMAN

11 a.m.

Montana State University

Idaho State University

Sophomore Laura Middel won at both No. 1 singles and doubles to lead the Bobcats to a 5-2 win over Idaho State on Friday afternoon.

4/17/2015 4:57:00 PM | Women's Tennis

“The match started getting a little tight at Nos. 5 and 6,” Albrecht said. “Idaho State had the momentum after the second sets, but give our kids credit for digging down and pulling out the match. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how you get there, just as long as you get there.”

By: Tom Schulz

After putting themselves in an early hole following doubles action, the Montana State women's tennis team captured five of six singles matches for a 5-2 win over Idaho State, Friday afternoon in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.

The Bobcats opened play cruising to a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles behind the strong play of Laura Middel and Jessica Brycki. Idaho State battled back winning at Nos. 2 and 3 to take the first point of the afternoon.

"The thing about doubles is that you have to be ready from the start," MSU Head Coach Denise Albrecht said. "I think at a couple of spots we dug ourselves a hole and were unable to get out of it. Losing that first point just puts added pressure on heading into singles play. We have to be in a good mindset from the first serve heading into Saturday and Sunday."

The top of the Bobcat singles ladder quickly put MSU back in charge as Middel, Brycki and Wanda Holopainen all won in straight sets to give Montana State a 3-1 advantage. ISU's Madelyn Weltzin closed the gap to one point, fending off four match points to take a 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-3 decision from Naomi Holopainen.

Things started to get interesting after MSU opened Nos. 5 and 6 singles with identical 6-4 victories. However, the Bengals rallied winning the second sets. The Bobcats clinched the match at No. 5 as freshman Angelina Philippova rebounded from a 6-0 loss in the second stanza to notch a 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 over Laura Theus. Montana State senior Liana Bates closed out the match with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win at No. 6 singles.

"The match started getting a little tight at Nos. 5 and 6," Albrecht said. "Idaho State had the momentum after the second sets, but give our kids credit for digging down and pulling out the match. Sometimes it doesn't matter how you get there, just as long as you get there."

The Bobcats will host Northern Arizona on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., followed by Weber State, Sunday at 10 a.m.

Montana State 5, Idaho State 2. Singles: 1. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. BACON, Kasey (ISU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2; 2. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) def. TANGARIFE, Marian (ISU) 6-3, 6-4; 3. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. TEGTMEIER, Svenja (ISU) 6-4, 6-4; 4. WELTZIN, Madelyn (ISU) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 3-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-3; 5. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. THEUS, Laura (ISU) 6-4, 0-6, 6-1; 6. BATES, Liana (MSU) def. COLE, Taylor (ISU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Doubles: 1. MIDDEL, Laura/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. BACON, Kasey/TANGARIFE, Marian (ISU) 6-1; 2. TEGTMEIER, Svenja/THEUS, Laura (ISU) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi/BATES, Liana (MSU) 6-4; 3. COLE, Taylor/GUTIERREZ, Laura (ISU) def. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/CRUM, Molly (MSU) 7-5.