LOGAN, Utah – Utah State women's tennis (3-5, 0-0 MW) lost to Idaho (4-3, 3-3 Big Sky), 4-3, on Monday afternoon at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club.
"We came out and played a really strong doubles point. We had a lot of energy and our doubles are definitely a very important part of our winning," said head coach Sean McInerney. "We're doing a great job of playing the style of tennis that we need to beat very good teams in doubles. It's a tough loss, but we'll go onto Texas and get better."
In doubles, freshman Annaliese County and junior Lucy Octave cruised to a 6-1 win on court three. After a loss on court one, sophomore Alexandra Pisareva and freshman Sidnee Lavatai captured the doubles point with a 6-3 win on court two.
In singles, USU lost the first two matches on court one and four, but bounced back with a 6-4, 6-3 straight-set win from junior Hannah Jones at the No. 3 spot. The Vandals won the next two matches on courts two and five in straight sets for the win. Lavatai's match went on as scheduled as she claimed the 7-6 (3), 6-1 win at the No. 6 spot.
Utah State will next travel to El Paso, Texas, this weekend facing UTSA (5-5) on Saturday, Feb. 23, at noon (MT) in a neutral court match and at UTEP (1-5) on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. (MT).
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.
RESULTS
Idaho 4, Utah State 3
Doubles
1. Marianna Petrei/Maria Tavares (IDAHO) def. Hannah Jones/Alexandra Taylor (USU) 6-4
2. Alexandra Pisareva/Sidnee Lavatai (USU) def. Laura Spataro/Anna Stefani (IDAHO) 6-3
3. Annaliese County/Lucy Octave (USU) def. Marta Magalhaes/Shion Watabe (IDAHO) 6-1
Singles
1. Marianna Petrei (IDAHO) def. Alexandra Pisareva (USU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Maria Tavares (IDAHO) def. Lucy Octave (USU) 7-6 (6), 6-1
3. Hannah Jones (USU) def. Laura Spataro (IDAHO) 6-4, 6-3
4. Anna Stefani (IDAHO) def. Annaliese County (USU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Marta Magalhaes (IDAHO) def. Rhoda Tanui (USU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Sidnee Lavatai (USU) def. Shion Watabe (IDAHO) 7-6 (3), 6-1
Match Notes:
Idaho 4-3
Utah State 3-5
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,4,3,2,5,6)
-USU-
