The women’s tennis team (5-1, 0-0 in MW) made the trek to Utah over the weekend to take on Utah State and BYU at their respective stadiums and came out even at 1-1 over the trip.
“It was our first time on the road this season,” junior Sandy Vo said. “The altitude is a lot higher in Utah, which was something we prepared for the best we could.”
First stop for the Broncos came at Logan, where the women handled Utah State 5-2 Friday afternoon. Even though the Broncos came away with the W, this was the first match of the season that the women allowed points to their opponents in a match.
Striking first were the Broncos in the doubles play, as they secured both points for the win. No. 2 seeded juniors Vo and Morgan Basil defeated Julie Tukuafu and Kristina Voytsekovich 8-4. Freshman Megan LaLone and sophomore Sammie Watson also won 8-4 over Hillary Hays and Kallie Sperry at the No. 3 spot. The Pietzuch twins, seniors Manuela and Marlena, did not finish the No.1 match because the points had been secured.
Carrying the Broncos to victory in the singles play were Basil, LaLone and Watson, who scored victories at the No. 4, 5 and 6 positions, respectively. The one who struck first and and gave the Broncos the extra edge was freshman Teal Vosburgh, who earned the first Broncos singles win with a 6-0, 6-3 No. 3 spot victory.
“It was a good win against Utah State as they are a strong team and it’s always great to win on the road,” Vo said.
Traveling to Provo was a different story for the ladies.
It was the Cougars who took the doubles points for the match, a first for the Broncos this season. BYU’s Meghan Sheehan-Dizon and Nicolette Tran took the No. 1 seed over the Pietzuch twins in a 8-6 loss for the Broncos. Vo and Basil as well as Watson and LaLone fell in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots respectively.
BYU carried their momentum into singles play, only allowing the Broncos one victory: a 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 No. 1 seeded match win from Vo over Morgan Anderson. The Cougars were able to defeat the rest of the Broncos to take home the 5-1 victory.
“It was a tough road trip and I’m really proud of all the girls for how well they fought in all of their weekend matches,” Basil said.
It’s a brief week at home for the women as they pack their bags again for Utah, this time to head to Salt Lake City to face off against the Utah Utes this Saturday.
