USU drops fifth straight
Utah State women’s tennis fell, 5-2, against Weber State in their first home match of the season Thursday. It was the second of three meetings between the Aggies and Wildcats this season. The Wildcats evened the series at one win apiece after the Aggies took the first match-up of the two teams in Ogden earlier this month.
Weber State started off the match by sweeping the three doubles pairings over Utah State, winning 8-6 in No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, and an 8-2 victory in the No. 2 doubles pairing.
It was the sixth time this season that USU has been swept in doubles.
“Getting stronger in doubles is a concern,” Utah State head coach Christian Wright said.
In singles play, Utah State logged their first win of the day when freshman Hailey Swenson won straight sets against Weber State senior Inalise Pienaar, 6-4, 6-4 in No. 2 singles. It was the third win this year against upperclassmen opponents for the USU freshman.
“That girl likes to take a lot of chances and Hailey gave her plenty of opportunities to miss,” Wright said of Swenson’s strategy.
Utah State’s only other victory came in No. 4 singles from sophomore Britney Watts, who won in straight sets over WSU’s Greyce Farias 6-3, 6-1.
Weber State sophomore Kelli Lindley avenged her previous loss in No. 6 singles, beating USU’s Jennifer Johnson 6-1, 6-1. The win in No. 6 singles, along with winning the doubles pairings, ended up as the only difference from the first meeting of the two teams earlier in the year.
“We’ve lost a couple close ones,” Weber State head coach Jonas Ehrlin said. “Feels good to get a win.”
In No. 1 singles, USU’s Brianna Harris fell to Gabriela Venditto 6-3, 6-2.
Bridgette Strickland was beat in straight sets by Weber State’s Ashley Schapper 6-3, 6-1 in No. 3 singles.
The No. 5 singles pairing between USU’s Taylor Perry and WSU’s Keya Adamson was the only match to go to a third set. However, with Weber State having clinched a victory for the match, the third set was decided in tiebreaker format with Adamson winning 10-7 over Perry.
Despite the loss, Wright was positive about the team’s effort on Thursday.
“Everybody gave physically all they had,” Wright said. “Definitely proud of how hard they fought.”
After starting the season 2-1, the loss drops Utah State’s record to 2-6. The Aggies next match is Saturday against the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
-matt.sonn@aggiemail.usu.edu