Bobcat Women’s Tennis Team Downs UND in Home Opener

Saturday, February 13

BOZEMAN

2 p.m.

Montana State University

North Dakota

Jessica Brycki

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

2/13/2016 6:05:00 PM | Women's Tennis

The Montana State women’s tennis team claimed the opening doubles point, en route to a 6-1 victory over the University of North Dakota in its home-opener, Saturday afternoon in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State women's tennis team claimed the opening doubles point, en route to a 6-1 victory over the University of North Dakota in its home-opener, Saturday afternoon in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.

Montana State's No. 3 tandem of Linda Vink and Shelby Cerkovnik opened the match with a 6-1 win over UND's Aliza Deming and Mary Wessman. The Fighting Hawks evened doubles play winning at No. 1 as Lacey Sprinkel and Mimi Yunker combined for a 6-2 decision. MSU took the opening point at No. 2, where the duo of Laura Middel and Naomi Holopainen posted a 6-2 victory over Preethi Kasilingham and Faith Lee.

"We've been doing really well in doubles and I've been very happy with our play," said Montana State first-year head coach Jon Reeves. "Singles wise we just really needed to focus on the things we've been working and to execute what we've been working on. And, in this match, they had a little freedom to do that."

The Bobcats captured five of six singles matches, all in straight sets. Playing at No. 3 singles, junior Jessica Brycki pushed MSU's lead to 2-0 with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Lee. Montana State went up 3-0 as sophomore Angelina Philippova recorded a 6-1, 6-2 win over Kasilingham at No. 4 singles. Middel clinched the win for MSU at No. 2 singles with a 6-2, 7-5 decision over Yunker.

"Anytime you get a conference win it's a good thing," Reeves said. "We're glad to get on the positive side for the first time this season. We have plenty of things to work on, but I'm proud of the girls for getting the win."

The Bobcats will host Portland State in its next match on Feb. 20.

Montana State 6, North Dakota 1. Singles: 1. SPRINKEL, Lacey (UND) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4; 2. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. YUNKER, Mimi (UND) 6-2, 7-5; 3. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. LEE, Faith (UND) 6-2, 6-2; 4. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. KASILINGAM, Preethi (UND) 6-1, 6-2; 5. VINK, Linda (MSU) def. DEMING, Aliza (UND) 6-1, 6-2; 6. CERKOVNIK, Shelby (MSU) def. WESSMAN, Mary (UND) 6-1, 6-1. Doubles: 1. SPRINKEL, Lacey/YUNKER, Mimi (UND) def. BRYCKI, Jessica/PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) 6-2; 2. MIDDEL, Laura/HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) def. KASILINGAM, Preethi/LEE, Faith (UND) 6-2; 3. VINK, Linda/CERKOVNIK, Shelby (MSU) def. DEMING, Aliza/BRACKIN, Courtney (UND) 6-1.