LOGAN, Utah — Utah State women's tennis bounced back after dropping the doubles point to win the first four matches of singles play in a 5-2 win over Weber State on Sunday at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club.
"Really good win," head coach Sean McInerney said. "A good bounceback from our last home match. Weber State's the second-best or the best team in their conference, so we're happy to get this win. They're a talented team and I thought we played much better this week than opening weekend so that was nice to see."
The Aggies dropped two matches in doubles as juniors Zeynep Naz Ozturk and Carolina Millan fell on court one, 6-2, while seniors Gabrielle Dekkers and Annaliese County lost a tight match on court three, 7-5.
"We were pretty disappointed to lose the doubles point," coach McInerney said. "But we came out in singles really strong, taking the first sets in matches one through four. That was really huge for us against a really good team. Being up to close out three of those three-setters is something we've been working on. We were able to do that at Dixie, too. We're starting to get a little tougher and a little smarter and we're going to get better."
In singles play, USU bounced back in emphatic fashion. Playing at the fourth position, junior Zara Ryan scored a 6-1, 6-2 victory over WSU's Yuuna Ukita. Sophomore Lisa Küng also put up a straight-set win, defeating Megan Davies, 6-4, 6-3, at the two-spot.
County rebounded from doubles play to outlast Weber State's Patty Kuo in three sets, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4, to put the Aggies one win away from victory. Minutes later, Millan provided the clinching point with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win over Ana Morett.
"I'm just really proud of everyone for playing through and winning," Küng said. "Especially because while our last match was very good, our first game was a little tough and we lost. It was really nice coming back and winning again and winning at home is always really nice."
Dekkers provided extra cushion at the fifth position, coming back after dropping the first set for a 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 10-5 victory. The win was USU's 14th consecutive victory over Weber State dating back to 2010.
"We've been working on hanging around and staying in matches," coach McInerney said, "and trying to maintain a good attitude until we can flip the momentum. (Dekkers) did a good job with that. She's a veteran and she beat a very good player. So that was a great job for her and that's what we want. We want people coming from behind and getting that job done."
Following the victory, the Aggies will now have almost two weeks to prepare for their next match. USU will travel to take on Montana on Friday, February 25, at 1 pm. Utah State will remain in Missoula, Montana, the following day for a neutral-site match versus Portland at 10 am.
"I feel like as a team, we've grown so much," Küng said. "We are all playing so much better and we're working really hard. I think we have a really good season in front of us. Just really proud of everyone for where we are right now."
Fans can follow USU's women's tennis team on Twitter @USUWomensTennis, on Facebook at /UtahStateWomensTennis or on Instagram at USUWomensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
RESULTS
Logan, Utah
Sports Academy & Racquet Club
February 13, 2022
Utah State 5, Weber State 2
Doubles
1. Sicily Ferreira/Megan Davies def. Carolina Millan/Zeynep Naz Ozturk (USU) 6-2
2. Sidnee Lavatai/Zara Ryan (USU) vs. Patty Kuo/Ana Morett (WSU) 4-4, unfinished
3. Yuuna Ukita/Megan Lombardi (WSU) def. Annaliese County/Gabrielle Dekkers (USU) 7-5
Singles
1. Carolina Millan (USU) def. Ana Morett (WSU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
2. Lisa Küng (USU) def. Megan Davies (WSU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Annaliese County (USU) def. Patty Kuo (WSU) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
4. Zara Ryan (USU) def. Yuuna Ukita (WSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Gabrielle Dekkers (USU) def. Megan Lombardi (WSU) 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 10-5
6. Sicely Ferreira (WSU) def. Brooke Demerath (USU) 6-0, 6-3
Match Notes
Weber State: 2-4
Utah State: 2-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3); Singles (4, 2, 3, 1, 6, 5)
- USU -
