LOGAN, Utah – Utah State women's tennis (10-10, 1-3 MW) came back from being down 3-0 for a 4-3 home win against Colorado State (8-9, 1-4 MW) and earned their first conference win of the season on Sunday afternoon at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club. With the win, head coach Sean McInerney earned his 10th win of the season, as he has now reached double-digit dual match wins in all six season at the helm of Utah State.
"We knew it was going to be a dog fight against Colorado State," said McInerney. "We didn't come out with the energy we're normally accustomed to, but our team hung in there and got the momentum going. I'm really proud of this win and it was a great effort."
Colorado State earned the doubles point as they recorded victories at the first and third position, while junior Lucy Octave and freshman Annaliese County's match went unfinished at the second spot.
In singles play, the Rams won two-straight matches at the top two spots to grab a comfortable 3-0 cushion. The Aggies fought all the way back on the remaining four courts as Octave came back from a 6-2 first-set loss to win her final two sets, 6-3, 7-5. County would make it a 3-2 contest as she too fell in her first set, 6-4, and came back to win her remaining two sets, with 6-4 scores.
Freshman Gabrielle Dekkers was the lone Aggie to win in straight-sets as she captured the 6-2, 7-6 (4) win at the No. 5 spot, tying up the score at 3-3. It all came down to freshman Sidnee Lavatai at the No. 6 spot, as she won her first set, 6-3, but Colorado State's Emily Kolbow won the second set, 6-3, forcing the match to go to a third and deciding set. Lavatai played a solid third set, clinching the match with a 6-1 win, as Lavatai clinched her second match of the season.
"It was good to get the first conference win of the season," said Octave. "It will give us confidence heading into the Boise State match next week. It was nice to get the win and hopefully we'll build on this."
Utah State wraps up the regular season by hosting Boise State (7-10, 0-4 MW) on Saturday, April 20, at 11 a.m.
Fans can follow USU's men's tennis team on Twitter @USUMensTennis, on Facebook at UtahStateMensTennis or on Instagram at USUTennis. 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
Utah State 4, Colorado State 3
Doubles
1. CLIFFE, Stella/KOLBOW, Emily (CSU) def. Alexandra Pisareva/Alexandra Taylor (USU) 6-2
2. Lucy Octave/Annaliese County (USU) vs. GHANEM, Nancy/REEVES, Riley (CSU) 4-5, unfinished
3. LUETSCHWAGER, Emily/PALERMO, Priscilla (CSU) def. Sidnee Lavatai/Gabrielle Dekkers (USU) 6-4
Singles
1. LUETSCHWAGER, Emily (CSU) def. Alexandra Pisareva (USU) 6-2, 6-2
2. CLIFFE, Stella (CSU) def. Hannah Jones (USU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Annaliese County (USU) def. GHANEM, Nancy (CSU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
4. Lucy Octave (USU) def. PALERMO, Priscilla (CSU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
5. Gabrielle Dekkers (USU) def. GRIJALVA, Alyssa (CSU) 6-2, 7-6 (4)
6. Sidnee Lavatai (USU) def. KOLBOW, Emily (CSU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
Match Notes:
Colorado State 8-9, 1-4 MW
Utah State 10-10, 1-3 MW
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (2,1,4,3,5,6)
-USU-
