Bobcat junior Naomi Holopainen
Photo by: Todd Goodrich
Naomi Holopainen Named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week
4/12/2016 1:53:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Montana State junior Naomi Holopainen was named Big Sky Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Week after her stellar performances last weekend against Northern Colorado and Sacramento State.
Montana State junior Naomi Holopainen was named Big Sky Conference Women's Tennis Player of the Week after her stellar performances last weekend against Northern Colorado and Sacramento State.
Holopainen, a junior from Lahti, Finland, went undefeated at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles as MSU split a home-stand to remain in the hunt for a Big Sky tournament spot. Against Northern Colorado, she teamed with Laura Middel to defeat Remi Immler and Beth Coton 6-2, helping the Bobcats grab the doubles point. Holopainen then topped Coton at line two 6-3, 6-2 as Montana State took three of the first four singles points to clinch the win.
Facing Sacramento State, Middel and Holopainen topped the Hornet's No. 1 pair of Jennifer Ong and Anna Loaiza Esquivias 6-4, handing them their first conference loss this season. Holopainen then faced Ong at No. 2 singles, and won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to give Ong just her second league singles loss this season. Holopainen improved to 4-6 in Big Sky singles play while her and Middel are a combined 10-0 in league doubles and 16-4 overall.
"Last weekend, Naomi showed the transformation of a ball striker becoming a competitor and complete tennis player," said MSU head coach Jon Reeves. "We have had moments of brilliance throughout the year, but her level of play, focus and excitement to compete was at an all new high. I am proud of the fact that she proved to herself and the team that good things come with enthusiasm, discipline and determination. It was a great effort."
Montana State will close out its regular-season schedule when it hosts Eastern Washington, Friday, April 15 at 3 p.m. at the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.
Holopainen, a junior from Lahti, Finland, went undefeated at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles as MSU split a home-stand to remain in the hunt for a Big Sky tournament spot. Against Northern Colorado, she teamed with Laura Middel to defeat Remi Immler and Beth Coton 6-2, helping the Bobcats grab the doubles point. Holopainen then topped Coton at line two 6-3, 6-2 as Montana State took three of the first four singles points to clinch the win.
Facing Sacramento State, Middel and Holopainen topped the Hornet's No. 1 pair of Jennifer Ong and Anna Loaiza Esquivias 6-4, handing them their first conference loss this season. Holopainen then faced Ong at No. 2 singles, and won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to give Ong just her second league singles loss this season. Holopainen improved to 4-6 in Big Sky singles play while her and Middel are a combined 10-0 in league doubles and 16-4 overall.
"Last weekend, Naomi showed the transformation of a ball striker becoming a competitor and complete tennis player," said MSU head coach Jon Reeves. "We have had moments of brilliance throughout the year, but her level of play, focus and excitement to compete was at an all new high. I am proud of the fact that she proved to herself and the team that good things come with enthusiasm, discipline and determination. It was a great effort."
Montana State will close out its regular-season schedule when it hosts Eastern Washington, Friday, April 15 at 3 p.m. at the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.
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