Bobcat Women Cruise by Griz; MSU Clinches Brawl of the Wild Series

Friday, April 14

BOZEMAN

9 a.m.

Montana State University

Montana

Senior Naomi Holopainen clinched the match for MSU at No. 3 singles as the Bobcats posted a 6-1 victory over the Grizzlies.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

Bobcat Women Cruise by Griz; MSU Clinches Brawl of the Wild Series

4/14/2017 3:23:00 PM | Women's Tennis

The Montana State women’s tennis team ran its winning streak to seven consecutive matches and snapped a seven-year losing streak to Montana with a convincing 6-1 victory over the Grizzlies, Friday morning in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State women's tennis team ran its winning streak to seven consecutive matches and snapped a seven-year losing streak to Montana with a convincing 6-1 victory over the Grizzlies, Friday morning in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.

Montana State (12-3, 8-0) dropped the opening doubles point as Montana (2-17, 1-7) rallied from a 4-1 deficit at No. 3 to post a 7-6(4) win. The two teams split at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles with MSU's top tandem of Chloe Goyette and Laura Middel posting a 6-1 win over Hannah Sulz and Catherine Orfanos.

"Doubles was definitely disappointing," said MSU head coach Jon Reeves. "We kind of had it and were leading pretty big at Nos. 1 and 3 and it just got away from us. It's always a tough thing and we've had a couple of those this year where we've dropped one and came back and took care of it in singles. We understand enough now about ourselves and how well we compete and did a nice job closing out the match."

The Bobcats took command early at the top four singles spots, paced by freshman Chloe Goyette who notched a 6-3, 6-2 win over Sulz to up her Big Sky Conference record to 8-0, including a 4-0 ledger at No. 1. Senior Laura Middel dispatched Lidia Dukic 6-3, 6-0, while Angelina Philippova recorded a 7-6(5), 6-2 decision over Nathalie Joanlanne at No. 4 singles to give MSU a 3-1 advantage.

"I'm really happy with how we came out in singles," Middel said. "We swept them which is huge for us. We had tons of energy in the first four of the line-up and that set the tone for Nos. 5 and 6. The crowd was also great and it was a big advantage in singles play."

Montana State senior Naomi Holopainen clinched the match for the Bobcats with a straight set 6-4, 7-5 victory over Orfanos at No. 3 singles. MSU closed out the scoring as seniors Jessica Brycki and Wanda Holopainen won at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively.

"We were confident we were going to be able to pull out singles as our line-up has been pretty strong," said Naomi Holopainen. "It was good to finish out with a win over the Grizzlies during our senior year."

With the victory Montana State remains undefeated atop the Big Sky standings with Northern Arizona at 8-0. The two teams meet Sunday at 9 a.m. in the BATC.

"Northern Arizona is a good team," Reeves said. "They've been the best team in my mind for the last two years. We've got to be ready, and I think we are ready."

Montana State's win in women's tennis clinched the annual Brawl of the Wild series between the storied rivals. The Bobcats own a 9-4 advantage with four events remaining on the season.

Montana State 6, Montana 1

Singles:
1. GOYETTE, Chloe (MSU) def. SULZ, Hannah (UM) 6-3, 6-2
2. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. DUKIC, Lidia (UM) 6-3, 6-0
3. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) def. ORFANOS, Catherine (UM) 6-4, 7-5
4. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. JOANLANNE, Nathalie (UM) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
5. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. KINCAID, Cam (UM) 6-4, 0-6, 10-6
6. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) def. PANIC, Milica (UM) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles:
1. GOYETTE, Chloe/MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. SULZ, Hannah/ORFANOS, Catherine (UM) 6-1
2. JOANLANNE, Nathalie/KINCAID, Cam (UM) def. BRYCKI, Jessica/HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 6-4
3. DUKIC, Lidia/PANIC, Milica (UM) def. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) 7-6 (7-4)