PROVO, Utah – After facing one of the tougher schedules in program history, BYU women’s tennis concluded the 2015-16 season with a 6-16 overall record.
BYU finished fifth in the West Coast Conference and secured a spot in the six-team conference tournament after posting a 4-5 WCC record in regular season play. The Cougars battled hard but fell 4-3 in a tight showdown with Santa Clara in the quarterfinals.
The Cougars’ late season surge began after a 4-3 victory over Loyola Marymount. Junior Mayci Jones clinched the match for the Cougars in dramatic fashion with a three-set win at first singles.
BYU opened the season with eight straight matches against ranked opponents, including a notable 5-2 win over No. 52 Maryland, with seven of the matches being played on the road. With only seven home matches on the schedule, the Cougars traveled from coast to coast throughout the season to play opponents in California, Washington, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Oregon and Idaho.
Junior Savannah Ware led the Cougars in wins with a 14-17 singles record, playing at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots. Ware began the season as the ninth-ranked singles player in the Mountain region.
At the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, senior Nicolette Poulsen and junior Toby Miclat each earned 12 victories on the season.
Jones, Miclat and Poulsen each earned WCC honors for their regular season play. Jones was named All-WCC Second Team Singles while Poulsen received WCC Singles Honorable Mention. Jones and Miclat were chosen for WCC Doubles Honorable Mention and were also named WCC Doubles Players of the Week for Feb. 9-15.
Sophomore Brittanie Eraso was recognized for her play at sixth singles in the WCC tournament and was named to the WCC All-Tournament Team. Poulsen and Ware were also named to the WCC All-Tournament team as the No. 2 doubles duo.
Off the court, newcomer Natella Nabieva was recognized for her academic achievement and received WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention.
BYU looks to make a strong return next season with an experienced senior class and a solid 2016 recruiting class that features two four-star recruits.