Bobcat Women Shutout North Dakota at Big Sky Conference Tennis Tournament

Thursday, April 27

Phoenix, AZ

3 p.m. (MDT)

Montana State University

North Dakota

Senior Laura Middel clinched the match at No. 2 singles as she dispatched Preethi Kasilingam 7-5, 6-2.

Photo by: Big Sky Conference

Bobcat Women Shutout North Dakota at Big Sky Conference Tennis Tournament

4/27/2017 6:48:00 PM | Women's Tennis

The quarterfinal victory was MSU’s first opening-round win since the Bobcats moved on to the semifinals with a 4-0 win over Northern Colorado in 2008.

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State women's tennis team cruised to a 4-0 victory over North Dakota, Thursday afternoon in quarterfinal action at the Big Sky Conference Tournament held at the Phoenix Tennis Center.

MSU moves on to face No. 2 Idaho in semifinal action on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (MDT).

"We did a good job of competing," said MSU head coach Jon Reeves.

Montana State (14-5) jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage capturing the doubles point with victories at Nos. 1 and 3. MSU's top tandem of Chloe Goyette and Laura Middel ran its season mark to 11-1 with a 6-3 win over North Dakota's (8-16) Faith Lee and Preethi Kasilingam. The Bobcats' No. 3 twosome of Angelina Philippova and Wanda Holopainen clinched the opening point with a 6-2 decision over Alex Revenig and Alysse Nakasato.

MSU carried over its momentum from doubles as Philippova cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Sophie Allen-Fisher at No. 4 singles. Senior Wanda Holopainen quickly followed with a straight set 6-1, 6-4 decision over Nakasato at the bottom of the ladder to give the Bobcats a 3-0 cushion.

Senior Laura Middel clinched the match at No. 2 singles as she dispatched Kasilingam 7-5, 6-2.

"We get to play the two-time defending champion (Idaho)," Reeves said. "They dominated us a couple of days ago, but we know who we are and how we compete. If we play like we are capable and have no regrets it will be an exciting match."

The quarterfinal victory was MSU's first opening-round win since the Bobcats moved on to the semifinals with a 4-0 win over Northern Colorado in 2008.

Montana State 4, North Dakota 0

Singles:
1. GOYETTE, Chloe (MSU) vs. Yunker, Mimi (UND) 6-4, 3-6, unfinished
2. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. Kasilingam, Preethi (UND) 7-5, 6-2
3. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) vs. Lee, Faith (UND) 6-3, 6-5, unfinished
4. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. Allen-Fisher, Sophie (UND) 6-1, 6-2
5. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) vs. Revenig, Alex (UND) 2-6, 6-4, 1-2, unfinished
6. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) def. Nakasato, Alysse (UND) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles:
1. MIDDEL, Laura/GOYETTE, Chloe (MSU) def. Lee, Faith/Kasilingam, Preethi (UND) 6-3
2. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) vs. Yunker, Mimi/Allen-Fisher, Sophie (UND) 5-3, unfinished
3. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) def. Revenig, Alex/Nakasato, Alysse (UND) 6-2