Hornets Sting Cats

Sunday, March 18

BOZEMAN

10 a.m.

Montana State University

Sacramento State

Annie Walker (l) and Laura Mary celebrate a point at No. 1 doubles.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

3/18/2018 4:37:00 PM | Women's Tennis

“In doubles, we’ve gotten things in order,” said MSU head coach Jon Reeves. “We’re really doing a good job with it, Nos. 1-3. We’re proud of our kids as they had a lot to work on in doubles. They really took a hard look at it and realized how important it is, and it’s allowing us to be in these matches.”

By: Tom Schulz

For the fifth straight match the Montana State women's tennis team went the distance. But for the second consecutive match, the Bobcats dropped a hard-fought one-point decision.

On Sunday in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center, perennial Big Sky Conference power Sacramento State captured No. 6 singles breaking a 3-3 tie and giving the Hornets a 4-3 victory.

Montana State (5-7, 2-2) opened the contest taking the first point as its No. 2 doubles tandem of Angelina Philippova and Linda Vink took a 7-6(2) victory in a tie-break.

Also posting a win for the Bobcats was its top duo of Laura Mary and Annie Walker. The twosome notched a convincing 6-1 victory over Sacramento State's (5-9, 4-2) Carolina Chernyestsky and Maria Gonzalez.

"In doubles, we've gotten things in order," said MSU head coach Jon Reeves. "We're really doing a good job with it, Nos. 1-3. We're proud of our kids as they had a lot to work on in doubles. They really took a hard look at it and realized how important it is, and it's allowing us to be in these matches."

After dropping a straight set decision at No. 4 singles to even the match, the Bobcats received a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles from senior Angelina Philippova. It was the fifth consecutive win for the product of Astrakhan, Russia.

"Angelina has really taken a hold of the fact that this it for her," Reeves said. "And, instead of worrying about some sort of senioritis, she's going with it, and she's decided that she's going to put everything on the line and do the best she can in her final year.

"Angelina has really made a huge change in the last couple of weeks," Reeves continued. "She's really enjoying herself on the court and she's competing hard."

Sacramento State senior Ana Loaiza Esquivias and Montana State sophomore Laura Mary put on the best show at No. 1 singles. Loaiza Esquivias, a two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection, rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 decision in a contest full of counter-punches to tie the match for the second time.

"Laura Mary is really doing some good things," Reeves said. "She fought against an experienced player who understands the game and what adjustments to make. I thought it came down to physicality. In the end it's what got Laura. She started to get a little worn down. Her fitness has gotten a lot better and still needs to improve, but she also sees that she can play at the highest levels in our conference, and in some cases, outside of our conference."

The Hornets went in front for the first time with 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles, before Bobcat freshman Annie Walker rallied from a one-set deficit notching a 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over Maria Gonzalez at the No. 2 position.

"That was a big win for Annie," Reeves said. "She's doing a great job. As a freshman we can't ask for much more. She's playing at a high spot and it's a lot of pressure on her, as well."

Sacramento State secured the win at No. 6 singles as Shamika Dhar posted a 6-0, 6-4 win over Sarah Cheverie.

"We were right there and we had our opportunity," Reeves said. "It's a tough one to lose. Coming back from a disappointing loss to North Dakota on Saturday, it was a great effort against Sacramento State. This was a big turnaround and it was nice to get back on track."

Montana State will travel to Boise, Idaho next Friday and Saturday to face the Broncos and Idaho in non-conference action.

Sacramento State 4, Montana State 3

Singles:
1. LOAIZA ESQUIVIAS, A. (SAC) def. MARY, Laura (MSU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
2. WALKER, Annie (MSU) def. GONZALEZ, Maria (SAC) 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
3. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. WICKER, Sofi (SAC) 6-4, 6-3
4. GULNOVA, Sofia (SAC) def. VINK, Linda (MSU) 7-5, 6-0
5. DORIAN, Jenna (SAC) def. ZANDER, Enni (MSU) 6-2, 6-2
6. DHAR, Shamika (SAC) def. CHEVERIE, Sarah (MSU) 6-0, 6-4

Doubles:
1. MARY, Laura/WALKER, Annie (MSU) def. CHERNYETSKY, C./GONZALEZ, Maria (SAC) 6-1
2. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/VINK, Linda (MSU) def. LOAIZA ESQUIVIAS, A./DORIAN, Jenna (SAC) 7-6 (7-2)
3. DHAR, Shamika/UGARKOVIC, Frana (SAC) def. ZANDER, Enni/CHEVERIE, Sarah (MSU) 6-4