Bobcat Women Tame Wildcats

Sunday, April 9

BOZEMAN

9 a.m.

Montana State University

Weber State

Senior Laura Middel

4/9/2017 1:52:00 PM | Women's Tennis

“After our 11-hour trip, I think we responded really well,” Middel said. “We played some very solid tennis and got the W, another conference W, and another step towards the Big Sky Conference championships.”

By: Tom Schulz

After spending its Saturday driving from Grand Forks, North Dakota back to Bozeman, the Montana State women's tennis team kept its season rolling with a 6-1 victory over Weber State, Sunday morning in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.

Life on the Big Sky Conference road raised its ugly head as the Bobcats were unable to secure a flight out of North Dakota due to weather following its 6-1 win at UND on Friday afternoon. MSU's only option was to drive the 800-plus miles over the high plains to make its match with Weber State.

"To be honest, I was more worried about getting the team from North Dakota to Bozeman, then I was with our match against Weber State," said MSU head coach Jon Reeves. "I'm really proud of how well the team handled themselves with the situation. We started a little shaky in doubles, but once we settled down we played solid tennis and we had some kids step-up."

Montana State (11-3, 7-0) remained undefeated in Big Sky play and ran its winning streak to six straight matches by taking the opening doubles point with victories at No. 2 and 3. The Bobcats also took the top doubles spot as Chloe Goyette and Laura Middel combined for a 6-3 win over Weber State's (2-14, 2-5) Caitlin Herb and Emily Tanner.

"After our 11-hour trip, I think we responded really well," Middel said. "We played some very solid tennis and got the W, another conference W, and another step towards the Big Sky Conference championships."

The win over Weber State secured the Bobcats a spot in the league's postseason tournament April 28-30 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Bobcats quickly took control of the match early in singles action as Goyette and Middel won in straight sets at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively. Junior Angelina Philippova clinched the victory at No. 4 singles with a 6-1, 6-3 decision over WSU's Sara Parker.

MSU closed out its scoring as both Naomi Holopainen and Jessica Brycki won hard-fought tie-breakers at Nos. 3 and 5 singles.

"Everyone was mentally ready and we decided as a team that we were going to go out there and do our best," said Naomi Holopainen. "Everyone was able to pull out there best and we came out on top over a good team."

Montana State will host Montana on Friday in the Brawl of the Wild, before meeting Northern Arizona, who is also undefeated in conference play, on Saturday. Both matches begin at 9 a.m.

"Next weekend is going to be exciting," Reeves said. "We have something to play for in all our remaining matches and the team is focused on what is in front of them."

Montana State 6, Weber State 1

Singles:
1. GOYETTE, Chloe (MSU) def. HERB, Caitlin (WSU) 6-2, 6-2
2. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. PILZOVA, Tereza (WSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) def. BEAUVAIS, Dominique (WSU) 6-3, 5-7, 11-9
4. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. PARKER, Sara (WSU) 6-1, 6-3
5. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. DICKASON, Morgan (WSU) 4-6, 6-1, 12-10
6. HASAN, Devi (WSU) def. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) 6-1, 7-5

Doubles:
1. GOYETTE, Chloe/MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. HERB, Caitlin/TANNER, Emily (WSU) 6-3
2. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. DICKASON, Morgan/PARKER, Sara (WSU) 6-2
3. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) def. BEAUVAIS, Dominique/HASAN, Devi (WSU) 6-1