CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – BYU women's tennis defeated No. 66 Maryland for the first win of the season, winning 5-2, Saturday at the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.
"It was a great win for the team," BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "We didn't come out as I had hoped in doubles, but I'm proud of the way the girls played in singles. They stepped up, played aggressive and fought hard."
Maryland (0-2) jumped out to a 1-0 advantage after winning the doubles point. Toby Miclat and Taylah Beckman fell 6-2, playing first doubles, and Nicolette Poulsen and Savannah Ware lost 6-2, at the No. 2 doubles spot.
The Cougars (1-1) recovered quickly after Poulsen, playing at the No. 4 spot, defeated Maryland's Kristina Hovsepyan in straight sets 6-0, 6-3. The Terrapins took a 2-1 lead in the match after Ware fell 6-0, 6-2, to UM's Arnelle Sullivan in second singles.
BYU fought back to tie the score after Mayci Jones won the No. 1 singles match 6-3, 6-3, over Natalyia Bredikhina before a close 7-6 (7-1), 6-2, victory by Miclat at the No. 3 singles spot gave BYU a 3-2 lead. Natella Nabieva, playing fifth singles for the Cougars, held off UM's Olga Bredikhina 7-5, 6-4, to clinch the match for BYU. Beckman also recorded a victory at the sixth singles slot, defeating Caroline Williams 6-3, 5-7, 5-4 (8-6).
The Cougars will host the University of Denver on Friday, Feb. 6, in the first home match of the season. Admission is free to the public and free pizza will be provided.
Live stats will be provided on the BYU team schedule page.
BYU 5, #66 Maryland 2
Singles competition
1. Mayci Jones (BYU) def. Natalyia Bredikhina (MD) 6-3, 6-3
2. Arnelle Sullivan (MD) def. Savannah Ware (BYU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Toby Miclat (BYU) def. Alexandra Stanova (MD) 7-6 (7-1), 6-2
4. Nicolette Poulsen (BYU) def. Kristina Hovsepyan (MD) 6-0, 6-3
5. Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. Olga Bredikhina (MD) 7-5, 6-4
6. Taylah Beckman (BYU) def. Caroline Williams (MD) 6-3, 5-7, 5-4 (8-6)
Doubles competition
1. Kristina Hovsepyan/Alexandra Stanova (MD) def. Taylah Beckman/Toby Miclat (BYU) 6-2
2. Natalyia Bredikhina/Caroline Williams (MD) def. Nicolette Poulsen/Savannah Ware (BYU) 6-2
3. Olga Bredikhina/Arnelle Sullivan (MD) def. Mayci Jones/Natella Nabieva (BYU) 5-3
Match Notes:
BYU 1-1
Maryland 0-2; National ranking #66
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (4,2,1,3,5,6)
ITA Kickoff Weekend.