MALIBU, Calif. -- No. 51 BYU women’s tennis was handed its first conference loss at the hands of No. 40 Pepperdine, 5-2, in a showdown between the top two West Coast Conference teams Saturday.
The Cougars (8-7, 4-1 WCC) had won four straight matches prior to the meeting with the Waves (10-4, 4-0 WCC).
“We had our opportunities in doubles but weren’t able to capitalize,” BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. “We didn’t compete as well as we needed to today. We are going to learn from this match and keep moving forward.”
BYU built some early momentum with a win at third doubles. Juniors Meghan Sheehan-Dizon and Morgan Anderson-Littlewood closed out the victory over Matea Cutura and Yuki Chang, 8-5.
Pepperdine evened the match with a win at No. 1 doubles as freshmen Mayci Jones and Toby Miclat fell, 8-5. The Waves then secured the point when Ale Granillo and Michaela Capannolo proved to be too much for Nicolette Tran and Savannah Ware as they fell 8-6.
BYU attempted to right the ship, but Pepperdine clinched the match as it took the next four singles matches.
Jones, a freshman, fell to No. 25 Lorraine Guillermo in straight sets and Tran fell to No. 96 Granillo, 6-2, 6-4.
The Cougars’ Sheehan-Dizon and Ware picked up singles wins at the No. 2 and No. 5 spots, respectively. The Waves retired both the matches.
BYU continues WCC play at home against Santa Clara Friday at noon MDT.
#40 Pepperdine 5, #51 BYU 2
Singles competition
1. #25 Lorraine Guillermo (PEP) def. Mayci Jones (BYU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Meghan Sheehan-Dizon (BYU) def. Matea Cutura (PEP) 6-7, 3-2, retired
3. #96 Ale Granillo (PEP) def. Nicolette Tran (BYU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Michaela Capannolo (PEP) def. Toby Miclat (BYU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Savannah Ware (BYU) def. Yuki Chiang (PEP) 6-4, 1-6, 2-1, retired
6. A.Runglerdkriangkrai (PEP) def. Morgan Anderson-Littlewood (BYU) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Lorraine Guillermo/A.Runglerdkriangkrai (PEP) def. Mayci Jones/Toby Miclat (BYU) 8-5
2. Ale Granillo/Michaela Capannolo (PEP) def. Nicolette Tran/Savannah Ware (BYU) 8-6
3. Meghan Sheehan-Dizon/Morgan Anderson-Littlewood (BYU) def. Matea Cutura/Yuki Chiang (PEP) 8-5
Match Notes:
BYU 8-7, 4-1 WCC; National ranking #51
Pepperdine 10-4, 4-0 WCC; National ranking #40
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,4,3,1)