LOGAN, Utah - Utah State women's tennis is set to being its dual match season on Saturday, as the Aggies travel to face Utah (0-1) at noon, followed by a home match against Southern Utah on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m., at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club.
"We are extremely excited to compete this weekend and begin our spring season," said head coach Sean McInerney. "It will give us an opportunity to see where we are and what we need to focus on moving forward. This weekend is a great opportunity for our young team to start the journey to our spring goals."
Utah State competed in six events during the fall with many Aggies landing in the record books. Sophomore Alexandra Pisareva placed No. 5 in single-season fall tournament wins with 10, while sophomore Alexandra Taylor tied for No. 20 with six wins.
In the career fall tournament singles records, junior Hannah Jones tied for No. 3 with 24 wins, Pisareva moved to No. 10 with 17 wins and Taylor tied for No. 19 with eight wins. The trio also moved up in the career fall doubles wins with Jones at the No. 3 spot with 22 wins, Taylor tied for No. 11 collecting 12 wins and Pisareva tied for No. 18 with seven wins. Junior Rhoda Tanui is tied at No. 18 with seven career fall doubles wins, while freshmen Annaliese County, Sidnee Lavatai, alongside Pisareva are tied with six career fall doubles wins. Jones also moved up in the rankings in total singles wins to No. 9 with 48 career wins, tied for No. 9 in combined wins with 79 and No. 16 in total doubles wins with 31.
Utah State women's tennis returns after finishing 14-12 overall, with a 3-2 Mountain West record in the 2017-18 season. Last year, Pisareva earned all-Mountain West honors in singles after posting a team-best 22-12 overall singles record, including 15-10 at the No. 1 spot during dual match play. The team returns five letterwinners in Jones, Lucy Octave and Tanui, as well as sophomores Pisareva and Taylor.
Utah State looks to earn their first win against Utah as the Utes lead the series 23-0. Last season, Utah was led in singles by Alexia Petrovic, who went 9-9 and Jena Cheng, who went 8-7. In doubles, the Utes were led by Petrovic and Cheng who went 8-7, as well as Taylor Calton and Whitney Turley, who also went 8-7.
The Aggies and T-Birds have faced off 17 times in program history, with USU leading the way 15-2, including winning the last 11 matchups. Last season, SUU was led in singles by Eira Tobrand, who went 19-5 and Ghita Nassik, who went 12-11. In doubles, the T-Birds were led by Tobrand and Zoe Tanti who went 5-3.
Fans can follow USU's women's tennis team on Twitter @USUWomensTennis, on Facebook at UtahStateWomensTennis or on Instagram @USUWomensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter at @USUAthletics, on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics or on Instagram at @USUAthletics.
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