LUBBOCK, Texas – Despite strong singles performances from senior Nicolette Poulsen and junior Savannah Ware, BYU women's tennis fell 5-2 to No. 10 Texas Tech on Friday in Lubbock.
"I'm proud of the way we fought in this match. Texas Tech is a great team and we were right there the whole match," BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "We definitely took a step in the right direction and played some really solid tennis."
The Cougars (1-5) fought hard in doubles play but couldn't quite win the point. Ware and freshman Taylah Beckman fell 6-2 at second doubles to Sarah Dvorak and Alex Valenstein of Texas Tech (9-1). The Red Raiders' Sabrina Federici and Felicity Maltby defeated Poulsen and junior Natella Nabieva 6-4 in a close set at the No. 3 doubles spot.
In singles competition, Poulsen gave the Cougars their first point of the match with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Lynn Kiro at the No. 3 singles spot. With the win, Poulsen improves to an even 3-3 singles record on the season.
Despite losing the first set, Ware, playing at No. 4 singles, battled back to beat the Red Raiders' Valenstein, 2-6, 6-3, 3-2 (10-6).
Mayci Jones, a junior for BYU, dropped a close No. 1 singles matchup 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, to Texas Tech's Gabriela Talaba and fellow junior Toby Miclat fell 7-5, 6-4 at No. 2 singles. Nabieva, playing at the No. 5 spot for BYU, was defeated 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 by Federici and the Raiders' Maltby won 6-3, 6-2 over Beckman at No. 6 singles.
The Cougars stay in Lubbock to face No. 42 William & Mary on Saturday at 1 p.m. CST at the McLeod Tennis Center.
Texas Tech 5, BYU 2
Singles Competition
1. Gabriela Talaba (TT) def. Mayci Jones (BYU) 7-6, 6-3
2. Sarah Dvorak (TT) def. Toby Miclat (BYU) 7-5, 6-4
3. Nicolette Poulsen (BYU) def. Lynn Kiro (TT) 7-5, 7-5
4. Savannah Ware (BYU) def. Alex Valenstein (TT) 2-6, 6-3, 3-2
5. Sabrina Federici (TT) def. Natella Nabieva (BYU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
6. Felicity Maltby (TT) def. Taylah Beckman (BYU) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles Competition
1. Lynn Kiro and Gabriela Talaba (TT) vs. Mayci Jones and Toby Miclat (BYU) 4-5, unfinished
2. Sarah Dvorak and Alex Valenstein (TT) def. Taylah Beckman and Savannah Ware (BYU) 6-2
3. Sabrina Federici and Felicity Maltby (TT) def. Natella Nabieva and Nicolette Poulsen (BYU) 6-4
Order of finish: Singles (6,2,1,5,3,4); Doubles (2,3)