USU Women's Tennis Sweeps Southern Utah in Sunday Season Opener

Utah State women's tennis opened its season in a 7-0 win over Southern Utah Sunday. 

"We feel really good. When you have a team playing its seventh match versus a team that's playing its first, you're a little nervous going in. We handled situations well and got a lot out of it," said USU head coach Sean McInerney. “I'm really proud of the team. We came out and battled. We had some good moments and bad moments, and we're going to get a lot better. This was a perfect start for us."

Utah State took the early lead after claiming the doubles point. Freshmen Renata Lombera and Carolina Millan were the first to finish, taking a 6-4 win in the No. 2 position. In the No. 3 spot, freshman Zara Ryan and sophomore Annaliese County opened the season with a 7-5 victory, securing the point for the Aggies. Senior Hannah Jones and sophomore Sidnee Lavatai played in the No. 1 position, falling, 7-5. 

In singles play, senior Lucy Octave was first to clinch a win, taking a straight-sets victory (6-1, 6-4) in the No. 1 position. In the No. 2 spot, sophomore Gabrielle Dekkers followed suit, winning 6-4, 7-5. Playing in the No. 4 position, Jones clinched the match for Utah State, winning in straight sets, (7-5, 6-4).

The match continued with Millan making quick work of her opponent on court five, as she won with a pair of 6-1 results. Freshman Zara Ryan pushed her match to three sets in the No. 3 position, keeping things tight before securing the win, (6-4, 3-6, 7-5). County wrapped up the match in the No. 6 spot, sweeping her opponent, 6-3, 7-5, to preserve the shutout.

Utah State returns to action with a pair of home matches next weekend. The Aggies will host Idaho State on Friday, Feb. 7, and UTEP on Sunday, Feb. 9. Both matches will start at 11 a.m., and will be played at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club. 

Fans can follow USU's women's tennis team on Twitter @USUWomensTennis, on Facebook at /UtahStateWomensTennis or on Instagram at USUWomensTennis.  Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.

RESULTS
Doubles
1. PURKISS, Chloe/STEFAN, Jessica (SUU) def. LAVATAI, Sidnee/JONES, Hannah (US) 7-5
2. MILLAN, Carolina/LOMBERA, Renata (US) def. TANTI, Zoe/COZZI, Daniela (SUU) 6-4
3. RYAN, Zara/COUNTY, Annaliese (US) def. NGO, Alexandra/HOSKING, Georgia (SUU) 7-5

Singles
1. OCTAVE, Lucy (US) def. TANTI, Zoe (SUU) 6-1, 6-4
2. DEKKERS, Gabrielle (US) def. STEFAN, Jessica (SUU) 6-2, 7-5
3. RYAN, Zara (US) def. COZZI, Daniela (SUU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
4. JONES, Hannah (US) def. PURKISS, Chloe (SUU) 7-6, 6-4
5. MILLAN, Carolina (US) def. TASCON, Paula (SUU) 6-1, 6-1
6. COUNTY, Annaliese (US) def. HOSKING, Georgia (SUU) 6-3, 7-5

Match Notes
Southern Utah 1-6
Utah State 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles - 2, 3, 1; Singles 1, 2, 4, 5, 3, 6