POCATELLO, Idaho – Utah State women's tennis (1-3, 0-0 MW) lost to Idaho State (1-1, 0-0 Big Sky) on Sunday afternoon at the Reed Gym.
"All the credit to Idaho State today," said Utah State head coach Sean McInerney. "They played a great match with great effort. I thought we did a great job hanging in there, competing to the very end, but it wasn't enough. We will get better, learn from this loss and get back to work this upcoming week."
In doubles, junior Rhoda Tanui and freshman Annaliese County cruised to a 6-2 win at the No. 2 spot against freshman Alexandra Arkhipov and junior Louise-Mare Botes. The duo of junior Hannah Jones and sophomore Alexandra Taylor secured the doubles point for the Aggies with a 6-2 victory at the No. 1 spot over Idaho State juniors Megan Poe and Hristina Cvetkovic.
The Bengals tied things up 1-1 in singles play as Cvetkovic defeated Taylor, 6-2, 6-2 on court two, however, USU picked up two points as Tanui cruised to a 6-2, 6-2, win against Coburn at the No. 3 spot. Junior Lucy Octave recorded a straight-set win of her own at No. 4 singles, as she defeated Arkhipov, 6-4, 7-6 (4) to make it a 3-1 contest.
However, Idaho State made the comeback and won the final three matches. Jones was forced to a third set against Botes at No. 1 singles, as she lost the first set, 4-6, but won the second, 7-5. Botes won the third and final set, 7-5. Dekkers and ISU junior Angela Walker played a tight contest on court five, as Dekkers won her first set, 6-1, but lost the final two, 3-6, 6-7 (2), tying the match at 3-3. The final match to decide it all came down to County and Poe at the No. 6 spot. County lost the first set, 3-6, but won the second set, 6-2, to force the match to a third and decisive set. The final set went to a tiebreaker, as Poe won the set, 7-6 (5), and the match to seal the victory for the Bengals.
Utah State will next travel to Flagstaff, Ariz., facing New Mexico State on a neutral court on Saturday, Feb. 9, and Northern Arizona on Sunday, Feb. 10. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
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 State State 4, Utah State 3
Doubles
1. Hannah Jones/Alexandra Taylor (USU) def. POE, Megan/CVETKOVIC, Hristina (ISU) 6-2
2. Rhoda Tanui/Annaliese County (USU) def. ARKHIPOV, Alexandra/BOTES, Louise-Mare (ISU) 6-2
3. FENSKE, Madison/COBURN, Melissa (ISU) def. Gabrielle Dekkers/Sidnee Lavatai (USU) 6-3
Singles
1. BOTES, Louise-Mare (ISU) def. Hannah Jones (USU) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
2. CVETKOVIC, Hristina (ISU) def. Alexandra Taylor (USU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Rhoda Tanui (USU) def. COBURN, Melissa (ISU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Lucy Octave (USU) def. ARKHIPOV, Alexandra (ISU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
5. WALKER, Angela (ISU) def. Gabrielle Dekkers (USU) 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
6. POE, Megan (ISU) def. Annaliese County (USU) 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5)
Match Notes:
Utah State 1-3
Idaho State 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (2,3,4,1,5,6)
-USU-
