PROVO, Utah – Senior Nicolette Poulsen led BYU to a 5-1 victory over West Coast Conference opponent San Diego on Saturday in Provo.
“We came out strong in doubles today and the girls did really well in singles,” BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. “It feels good to come out with a win. We played really well as a team.”
BYU (4-9, 2-1 WCC) dominated doubles play to score the first point of the match. Junior Natella Nabieva and freshman Taylah Beckman were first off the courts, defeating USD’s (6-5-1, 3-1 WCC) Colomba DiFilippo and Shani Blecher, 6-3. At No. 2 doubles, Poulsen and junior Savannah Ware clinched, winning 6-4 over San Diego’s Marta Stojanovic and Maria-Paula Torres.
In singles, junior Toby Miclat made quick work of USD’s Drew Spinosa, winning 6-2, 6-2 at second singles. Playing at No. 3, Poulsen finished next with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Dana Oppinger.
The Torreros scored their first point of the match after DiFilippo bested Beckman at the No. 6 spot, winning 6-1, 7-5.
With the Cougars leading 3-1, Nabieva and Ware both finished with wins to clinch the match for BYU. Nabieva won in three sets, 6-3, 1-6, 6-0, over Torres at No. 4 while Ware defeated Sophia Chow, 7-5, 6-1, at the No. 5 slots.
BYU's next match will be on the road against Washington State on Friday, March 25, at noon PDT. Live stats will be available on the BYU schedule page.
BYU 5, San Diego 1
Singles competition
1. Mayci Jones (BYU) vs. Marta Stojanovic (USD) 6-7 (5-7), 3-0, unfinished
2. Toby Miclat (BYU) def. Drew Spinosa (USD) 6-2, 6-2
3. Nicolette Poulsen (BYU) def. Dana Oppinger (USD) 6-0, 6-4
4. Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. Maria-Paula Torres (USD) 6-3, 1-6, 6-0
5. Savannah Ware (BYU) def. Sophia Chow (USD) 7-5, 6-1
6. Colomba DiFilippo (USD) def. Taylah Beckman (BYU) 6-1, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Mayci Jones/Toby Miclat (BYU) vs. Dana Oppinger/Drew Spinosa (USD) 5-4, unfinished
2. Savannah Ware/Nicolette Poulsen (BYU) def. Marta Stojanovic/Maria-Paula Torres (USD) 6-4
3. Natella Nabieva/Taylah Beckman (BYU) def. Colomba DiFilippo/Shani Blecher (USD) 6-3
Match Notes:
San Diego (6-4-1, 3-0 WCC)
BYU (3-9, 1-1 WCC)
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (2,3,6,4,1,5)