Aggies lose to Hawaii Pacific
The Utah State women’s tennis team dropped their first match of their three-day Hawaii tour against Hawaii Pacific. The Aggies lost 6-1 and fell to 8-7 on the season.
“We went out there, and we just got out-played today,” head coach Chris Wright said. “We didn’t adjust to the different surroundings. It was little breezy and the ball flies at sea level.”
USU dropped the first point, losing two of the three doubles matches.
Junior Jaci West and freshman Mckenzie Davis continued their winning streak, beating Vivian Hansen and Magdalena Smejova at No. 1 doubles in a tiebreak. The duo took the pro-set 8-7.
“We had a good doubles win at number one,” Wright said. “We had to come back to get that one.”
Junior Kristina Voytsekovich and senior Romina Nedakovic fell to Celina Goettis and Lelyzevat Rybakova 3-8 at the No. 2 doubles spot.
Zora Vickova and Lea Kruse-Utermann defeated freshman Kimberly Watts and senior Brianna Harris 8-2 in the No. 3 doubles position to secure the first point.
In singles the Aggies could not gain momentum, falling in four of the five matches. Wright said the team needs to work on patience to get through its tougher matches.
“We want to work on staying in the rallies better. It is important that we are patient,” Wright said. “I thought we were ahead on a lot of balls today, we just have to apply the pressure when its right.”
Davis fell to Vokova in straight sets in the No. 1 singles position. The freshman took the first set to a tiebreaker but could not overtake Vokova for the set win. Vokova rolled through the second set, winning the match 7-6, 6-4.
West was dismissed by Goetti in the No. 2 singles spot, losing also in straight sets. The Aggie was defeated 3-6, 2-6.
Voystekovich took Smejova to three sets at No. 3 singles. Voystekovich won the first set 6-2, but Smejova came back to take the second. With the sets split, the two went into a third set which ended in a tiebreaker. The Aggie fell short, losing the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-7. Wright said Voystekovich played steady.
“Voystekovich had a good match – a three-setter,” Wright said. “She battled super hard.”
Hansen defeated Nedakovic in straight sets, as well, in the No. 4 singles spot. Nedakovic dropped the match 3-6, 2-6.
Senior Monica Abella could not capitalize on a lead in the first set and fell in two 6-4, 6-4 to Rybakova at the No. 5 singles position.
Junior Julie Tukuafu notched the only win of the day, defeating Kruse-Utermann in the No. 6 singles position. Tukuafu narrowly took the first set 7-5 but shut down her opponent in the second, and the Aggie won 7-5, 6-3.
“(Tukuafu) played a close first set. She used her forehand really well and stayed patient,” Assistant coach Bryan Marchant said. “She kept tough and stayed focused. We were proud of her for sure.”
The team knew the match would not be easy, especially playing in Hawaii, Wright said.
“We knew they were a quality team – top in the rankings in their division” Wright said. “We were just a little bit off though. We need to make a better transition tomorrow. I mean, we were right there early on, we just didn’t figure out how to get the better of their opponent.”
“It’s matter of learning from today,” Marchant said. “We need to stay confident.”
USU will remain in Hawaii to take on Hawaii Friday and Western Athletic Conference leader San Jose State Saturday.
– mega.bodi@aggiemail.usu.edu