SALT LAKE CITY--In a heartbreaking rivalry match, No. 71 BYU women’s tennis fell to No. 49 Utah, 4-3, in the Deseret Duel Wednesday at the Eccles Tennis Center.
“I’m proud of the freshmen today for playing to win in singles,” BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. “We came out too slow again in doubles. We’re going to learn from this match and keep working hard.”
Falling to 2-4 on the year, the loss to Utah (5-1) marks the Cougars' fourth match this season against a ranked opponent.
Utah took the momentum at the beginning of the match by grabbing the doubles point.
In singles freshmen Toby Miclat and Savannah Ware pulled through again as both ousted their opponents. Miclat slipped by Paige Miles in three sets 6-2, 6-7, 10-8. Ware topped her opponent, winning 7-6, 6-4.
Junior Meghan Sheehan-Dizon faced undefeated No. 111 Sarah Pham, but lost in a hard-fought two sets, 7-6, 6-3. Freshman Mayci Jones won her match by default at first singles.
BYU’s next match will be at No. 44 UC Irvine Feb. 28 at 1:30 p.m. PST.
Utah 4 – BYU 3
Doubles
1. Bekerova/Miles def. Jones/N. Tran, 8-3
2. Richter/da Rosa def. Sheehan-Dizon/Miclat, 8-3
3. Pham/Craig def. Anderson/Maddox, 7-6
Singles