April 3, 2002

OGDEN, Utah - Utah State's women's tennis team returned to action after nearly a month layoff and lost a close match at Weber State 4-3 on Wednesday. The Aggies had not played since defeating Weber State 4-3 on March 6.

Weber State won the doubles point by winning two of the three matches as only the tandem of Haley Hawkins and Carolyn Larsen could claim a victory for the Aggies as they won 9-7 at number two doubles.

Hawkins improved her team-best individual record to 10-5 this season with a win at number six singles. Hawkins, a freshman from Ogden, Utah, defeated Chelsee Drews 6-3, 6-1. Other USU singles winners included Jocee Bergeson at number two and Richelle Ferguson at number four.

Two of USU's singles losses were pushed to three sets. Sarah Lowe won the first set of her number one singles match 6-4, but lost 6-1, 6-2 in the following sets. Caroline Pollock battled back from a 6-4 opening set loss to post a 6-2 victory to force a third set at number three singles. However, Briana Beauchene of Weber State won a closely contested third set 7-5 to give her the win and Weber State the team victory.

The Aggies, now 5-5 on the season, are scheduled to play at three matches in Boise, Idaho April 12-14. Weber State improved to 4-9 on the season.

WEBER STATE 4, UTAH STATE 3

Singles

#1 - Therina Steenkamp (WSU) def. Sarah Lowe, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2

#2 - Jocee Bergeson (USU) def. Dana DeLancey, 6-3, 6-3

#3 - Briana Beauchene (WSU) def. Caroline Pollock, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5

#4 - Richelle Ferguson (USU) def. Tiffany Smith, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1

#5 - Tara Rosenzweig (WSU) def. Carolyn Larsen, 6-0, 6-4

#6 - Haley Hawkins (USU) def. Chelsee Drews, 6-3, 6-1

Doubles

#1 - DeLancey/Steenkamp (WSU) def. Lowe/Pollock, 8-4

#2 - Hawkins/Larsen (USU) def. Beauchene/Rosenzweig, 9-7

#3 - Drews/Smith (WSU) def. Bergeson/Amy Thatcher, 9-8