Bobcat Women’s Tennis Team Back Together in Washington

Saturday, February 13

Spokane, WA

7 p.m.

Montana State University

Gonzaga

Senior Enni Zander posted MSU's lone win at No. 6 singles against Gonzaga on Saturday night.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Bobcat Women’s Tennis Team Back Together in Washington

2/15/2021 4:41:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

It was almost eleven months to the date the Montana State women’s tennis team had last played a match when it stepped on the court at Gonzaga on Saturday night.

By: Tom Schulz

It was almost eleven months to the date the Montana State women's tennis team had last played a match when it stepped on the court at Gonzaga on Saturday night. And, despite dropping a 6-1 decision to the Zags, the Bobcats were elated to have its team back together and finally able to safely compete.

Throughout fall semester, head coach Jon Reeves had just one of his seven players on campus. Following the holiday break, all returned to the College Hill in preparation for last weekend's action, which also included a 7-0 loss to Pac-12 power Washington State.

"We just finalized putting last weekend together within the past couple weeks," Reeves said. "All teams involved were excited to be able to see others and to play some competitive tennis. Our team was excited to play, but at the same time there was some trepidation because they have not competed in such a long period of time."

The Bobcats were paced by its two upperclassmen- graduate student Laura Mary and senior Enni Zander. Zander, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, scored MSU's lone point against Gonzaga with a hard fought 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 decision over Hannah Jones at No. 6 singles.

Mary, from Eaubonne, France, and who has been MSU's No. 1 player the past three seasons, dropped a close 6-4, 7-5 match to Gonzaga's top player Kate Ketels. Mary also had an outstanding match on Sunday afternoon falling to Washington State's Michaela Bayerlova by an identical 6-4, 7-5 result. Bayerlova entered the match ranked No. 55 in the nation.

Montana State's lone victory over the Cougars came at No. 1 doubles where Mary and true-freshman Jazmin Lerman notched a 6-3 win over Bayerlova and Hikaru Sato.

"It was not surprising that Laura and Enni felt the most comfortable in their return to college competition," Reeves said. "Enni won a hard three-set match and fought off muscle cramps in her legs to win at Gonzaga. With 12-hours to recover, Enni's return to the court on Saturday morning was a big ask. But it was one she welcomed after almost a full year off.

"Laura Mary is finally healthy after shoulder surgery in April of 2019, she had two tightly contested matches at No. 1 singles versus two very experienced players," he added. "Mary and Jazmin Lerman improved their doubles performance on day two with a good win against Washington State at the top spot."

The Bobcats will take the next two weeks off before hosting Idaho State on Feb. 27 and traveling to Montana on Feb. 28.

"It was great to get on the court for a few competitive matches before we begin Big Sky Conference play," Reeves said. "It was also good to have the freshmen get a few matches to understand what to expect of the collegiate level and it also allowed everyone to work through the competitive jitters after a layoff like they have never experienced in their sport."

Washington State 7, Montana State 0

Singles:
No. 1 #55 Michaela Bayerlova (WSU) def. Laura Mary (MSU) 6-4, 7-5
No. 2 Hikaru Sato (WSU) def. Mirte Van Baelen (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 Fifa Kumhom (WSU) def. Jazmin Lerman (MSU) 6-4, 6-1
No. 4 Pang Jittakoat (WSU) def. JJ Chen (MSU) 6-3, 6-1
No. 5 Savanna Ly-Nguyen (WSU) def. Enni Zander (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
No. 6 Melisa Ates (WSU) def. Felicia Jayasaputra (MSU) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles:
No. 1 Laura Mary/Jazmin Lerman (MSU) def. Michaela Bayerlova/Hikaru Sato (WSU) 6-3
No. 2 Melisa Ates/Yang Lee (WSU) def. Mirte Van Baelen/Enni Zander (MSU) 6-4
No. 3 Fifa Kumhom/Pang Jittakoat (WSU) def. Felicia Jayasaputra/JJ Chen (MSU) 6-1

Gonzaga 6, Montana State 1

Singles:
1. KETELS, Kate (GON) def. Laura Mary (MSU-W) 6-4, 7-5
2. SOSNOWSKA, Adrianna (GON) def. Mirte Van Baelen (MSU-W) 6-2, 6-1
3. BROERMAN, Cate (GON) def. Jazmin Lerman (MSU-W) 6-0, 6-1
4. TSURUTA, Haruna (GON) def. JJ Chen (MSU-W) 6-3, 6-1
5. SLOAN, Jenna (GON) def. Felicia Jayasaputra (MSU-W) 6-1, 6-1
6. Enni Zander (MSU-W) def. JONES, Hannah (GON) 6-1, 5-7, 6-4

Doubles:
1. KETELS, Kate/BROERMAN, Cate (GON) def. Laura Mary/Jazmin Lerman (MSU-W) 6-3
2. SOSNOWSKA, Adrianna/JONES, Hannah (GON) def. Mirte Van Baelen/Enni Zander (MSU-W) 6-1
3. TSURUTA, Haruna/ODA, Kianna (GON) def. JJ Chen/Felicia Jayasaputra (MSU-W) 6-0