Aggies lose final two matches in Hawaii tour
The Utah State women’s tennis team ended its Hawaii road trip with two consecutive losses to Hawaii and San Jose University last Saturday, battling weather as well as its Western Athletic Conference foes.
USU 0, Hawaii 6
USU took on No. 55 Hawaii on Friday in a weather-frustrated day of tennis. Rain delays disrupted the match, causing games to be postponed seven times, which eventually led to a change in venue so the matches could be completed.
“It was kind of crazy,” said head coach Chris Wright. “The first time it started pouring, and we found shelter, and then we did this about seven times. So we went to a different site. It was a long day, but we had to get it in. We just got out-played.”
The two teams did not compete in doubles because delays put matches too far behind schedule, which Wright said threw off the team’s routine.
Heading into singles, the Aggies could not find rhythm against the Warriors.
Freshman McKenzie Davis fell in straight sets to Barbara Pinterova in the No. 1 singles position. Davis won three games in her match, losing 1-6, 2-6.
Junior Jaci West took her opponent, Katarina Poljakova, to three sets in the No. 2 singles position. The California native took the first set 6-3, but could not hold off the Warrior in the second. The third set was replaced by a super tie-breaker, which Poljakova won 10-4. The Aggie fell 6-3, 2-6, 4-10.
“West played really well – had a great match,” Wright said.
Sophomore Kristina Voytsekovich also dropped her match in straight sets to Jamie Pawid at the No. 3 singles. Voytsekovich was bageled in the first set and fell in the second 2-6.
Marina Kostalova dismissed senior Romina Nedakovic at the No. 4 singles position. The Aggie battled her opponent but could not pull ahead in the match. Nedakovic lost 3-6, 4-6.
Senior Monica Abella also fell in straight sets to Xenia Suworowa 6-3, 6-1 in No. 5 singles.
Junior Julie Tukuafu wrapped up the conference matchup, losing to Kelsey Daquio at the No. 6 singles position. Tukuafu lost the first set 2-6 and was bageled in the second set.
“In comparison they just played better than we did. The (other) team did a pretty good job of handling (the weather),” Wright said. “It was pretty frustrating for everybody, but the girls stayed focused pretty well. The bottom line is (Hawaii) just played better.”
USU 2, SJSU 5
The Aggies met the San Jose Spartans in their second WAC conference matchup of the weekend.
Looking to rebound from a loss to a fellow WAC team, USU took on SJS for its last match in Hawaii.
Utah State started off strong, winning the doubles point and took two of the three pro-set games to gain the early lead.
“We played some of the best doubles I have seen all year,” Wright said. “We had a good win at No. 1, and No. 2 played super well and looked very sharp.”
West and Davis defeated Sebastiani Leon Chao and Erica Medlin 8-3 in the No. 1 doubles position, and Nedakovic and Voytsekovich dismissed Chau Truong and Alexis Marquez 8-2 in the No. 2 doubles spot.
Tukuafu and Brianna Rowland could not complete the sweep, losing to Isadora Busch and Jessica Willett in a tie-breaker 7-8 in the No. 3 doubles position.
Moving into singles, the Aggies failed to continue the momentum and lost in all singles positions, except for one.
“We felt good after getting the doubles point and wanted to go out with intensity in singles,” Wright said. “And we just didn’t get off to a good start. The other team came out fired up.”
Davis notched the only singles win of the match, defeating Truong 6-3, 6-4 at the No. 1 singles position.
West was dismissed in straight sets by Chao in the No. 2 singles spot. The Spartan held West to three games, winning 6-1, 6-2.
Voytsekovich was defeated by Medlin at No. 3 singles in straight sets. The Aggie could not earn a game in the first set and lost the second 2-6.
Nedakovic battled to three sets against Willett in the No. 4 singles position. After losing the first set 3-6, the Aggie rallied back to take the second set 6-3. The third set was close, as Nedakovic narrowly lost 4-6.
“Romina lost in three, fought super hard and just fell short,” Wright said.
Abella was defeated by Busch in straight sets in the No. 5 singles spot. The Spartan took the match 6-3, 6-1.
Tukuafu was dismissed by Marquez in the No. 6 singles position. After losing the first set 1-6, the University of Utah transfer came back in the second but couldn’t gain the upper hand. Marquez took the match 6-1, 6-4.
“If there is a lesson to learn, we need to stay fired up,” Wright said.
The Aggies will return to home courts Tuesday to take on Idaho State.
– mega.bodi@aggiemail.usu.edu