PROVO, Utah – Senior Demi Perkinson and sophomore Taylah Beckman powered the BYU women's tennis team to a 4-3 comeback victory over the University of Nevada on Saturday at the BYU indoor courts.
'We had a lot more belief in ourselves today and stayed determined on our game plan, and I think that's why came out on top." BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "We fought hard and played with a lot of heart."
With the Cougars trailing 3-2, Perkinson scored a decisive 6-4, 6-1 win on court six over Nevada's (3-5, 0-0) Sara Korzeniecki to tie the score. Beckman, playing at the No. 5 slot, clinched the match for the Cougars with a three-set 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-1 win against the Wolf Pack's Calijn Ketting.
"Demi stepped up today in her first singles match of the season and really helped the team, and it was great to see Taylah get the clinch victory for us," Jones-Spencer said.
The Cougars opened the match by capturing the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead. Beckman and Perkinson finished first with a 6-1 victory at third doubles over the Pack's Blaga Delic and Milena Achlamov. On court two, freshman Kate Cusick and senior Natella Nabieva clinched the doubles point for BYU with a 6-4 win over Claudia Herrero and Ketting.
In singles, Nevada responded with wins at second and third singles to jump out to a 2-1 lead. BYU freshman Samantha Smith brought the Cougars back within striking distance with a 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 win over Nevada's Delic to put the score at 3-2, setting up the wins by Perkinson and Beckman.
BYU will travel to Fresno, California for two matches next week. The Cougars face Middle Tennessee on Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m. PST before playing Fresno State on Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m. PST.
BYU 4, University of Nevada 3
Singles competition
1. Claudia Herrero (NV) def. Savannah Ware-Avina (BYU) 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4
2. Sheila Morales (NV) def. Natella Nabieva (BYU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-1)
3. Adriana Gergelyova (NV) def. Kate Cusick (BYU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Samantha Smith (BYU) def. Blaga Delic (NV) 6-1, 5-7, 6-4
5. Taylah Beckman (BYU) def. Carlijn Ketting (NV) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-1
6. Demi Perkinson (BYU) def. Sara Korzeniecki (NV) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Savannah Ware-Avina/Samantha Smith (BYU) vs. Adriana Gergelyova/Sheila Morales (NV) 4-5, unfinished
2. Kate Cusick/Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. Claudia Herrero/Carlijn Ketting (NV) 6-4
3. Taylah Beckman/Demi Perkinson (BYU) def. Blaga Delic/Milena Achlamov (NV) 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (3,2,4,1,6,5)