USU tennis teams pick up split against MSU
The lineup wasn’t known until the night before, but Head Coach Chris Wright’s late decision proved to be the correct one for the Utah State women’s tennis team.
In their season opener, the Aggies hit past Montana State University 6-1, winning all three doubles matches and 5 of 6 singles matches Thursday at the Sports Academy and Racquet Club.
“It was a last minute kind of judgment call,” Wright said.
For freshmen doubles partners Jill Smith and Andrea Hansen, the news they would be playing was met with excitement and the reality the season was starting.
“It was up in the air,” Smith said. “I had no idea what was going through [Wright’s] head, but I was happy I was able to play.”
Hansen said, “I was hoping, but I was a little nervous that I wasn’t [going to play.] We were really excited, both of us, that he chose us to play together. After he announced it, it kind of hit us that tomorrow is the day..”
With the first match of the season, and the first team match for three freshmen, Wright said there definitely were some nerves, but he was happy with how mentally prepared the team was.
The match opened with the Aggies winning the doubles point. New partners Caroline Pollock and Lindsey Bennion blew by Bobcats Stacy Voelker and Susan Risteen, 8-2, at No. 1.
Wright said he was happy with their performance, especially considering they have only been partners for one or two weeks.
“They’ve really complemented each other well,” he said.
The other two doubles matches were closer, but USU still won comfortably with Carolyn Larsen and Haley Hawkins victorious 8-4 over Vera Vasileva and Katy Clarke at No. 2, and at No. 3 Smith and Hansen defeated Laurel Brown and Staci Rust, 8-4.
“Doubles is one of those things, we do play it first, that point is important, but even more important it gives you momentum going into singles,” Wright said. “I’m really proud of the way they went out there and took care of it, and that did definitely help us going into singles.”
Having picked up the momentum from doubles, the Aggies were able to finish off the Bobcats in singles.
Playing for the first time at No.1, Pollock dropped the first set 6-1 and fell behind 4-1 in the second to Voelker before mounting a comeback.
“My mind was just disorganized and coaching helped me get back into it,” Pollock said.
Pollock slipped by 7-5 in the second and then carried her momentum into the third, winning 6-2.
“Caroline just kept fighting and she just started to get things clicking,” he said. “I’m really proud of her for how hard she fought to get that win.
Larsen was also playing up from last year’s No.5 spot, facing Vasileva at No. 2. After breezing through the first set 6-1, Larsen had to hold off Vasileva at the tiebreaker for the 7-6 win.
At No. 6, Bennion, a freshman, picked up her first victory, 6-2, 6-1, over Risteen. The lone Bobcat win was at No. 4 with Brown defeating Hawkins 6-3, 6-3.
In the final two spots the Aggies had little trouble as No. 5 Shelly Ferguson defeated Clarke, 6-1, 6-0, and at No. 6 Smith won over Rust, 6-2, 6-2.
Earning a victory in the first match of the season to start 1-0 will be a big factor in the team’s confidence, and also help set a foundation the rest of the season, Wright said.
Not only did the match set a foundation for the season, but it also gave the entire team, especially the three freshmen, valuable match experience.
“We were so excited to be out there and play,” Hansen said. “I think we went out there with just a real positive attitude. It just goes to show us we can do whatever we put our minds to. I think the team has all the potential to be the best in the [Big West] conference.
–slbk5@cc.usu.edu