Montana State Women Host Griz in Brawl of the Wild Tennis Match

Saturday, April 4

BOZEMAN

10 a.m.

Montana State University

University of Montana

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

Montana State Women Host Griz in Brawl of the Wild Tennis Match

4/3/2015 4:43:00 PM | Women's Tennis

“We’re finally getting our feet under ourselves as a complete team,” MSU Head Coach Denise Albrecht said. “For the first half of the season we played without our Nos. 2 and 4 players. We are now comfortable with the line-up and we are excited about the remainder of the season.”

By: Tom Schulz

After nearly upsetting perennial Big Sky Conference power and undefeated Sacramento State 4-3 last Saturday in the Golden State, the Montana State women's tennis team will look to build on its momentum when it hosts Montana, Saturday, April 4 at 10 a.m., in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center as part of the Brawl of the Wild series between the two rivals.

"We're finally getting our feet under ourselves as a complete team," MSU Head Coach Denise Albrecht said. "For the first half of the season we played without our Nos. 2 and 4 players. We are now comfortable with the line-up and we are excited about the remainder of the season."

Montana State is 9-9 overall and 2-3 in Big Sky play, while Montana enters 5-9 overall and 4-1 in league action.

The Bobcats will be led Saturday by Laura Middel. The sophomore has gone 7-3 in her last ten outings and is 8-7 overall playing at No. 1 singles. Also going 7-3 over the past ten matches is sophomore Jessica Brycki. The product of Sydney, Australia has recorded a 5-3 mark at No. 3 singles.

Albrecht inserted Wanda Holopainen at No. 2 singles and twin sister Naomi at No. 4 singles. Naomi Holopainen has MSU's best mark at 6-2, including a 4-1 mark at the four spot.

The Bobcats have used 12 different line-ups in doubles play and will enter the weekend with Middel and Brycki at the top spot, followed by Naomi Holopainen and Liana Bates at No. 2 doubles and the tandem of Angelina Philippova and Molly Crum at No. 3.

"Montana is a very strong team and has good senior leadership," Albrecht said. "Liana is our only upperclassmen. Everyone else is either a sophomore or freshman; however, I'm more than pleased with the way we fight for every point. We are gaining experience and confidence."

Following Saturday's match, the Bobcats will travel to Eastern Washington and Idaho, April 11-12.