The Montana State women’s tennis team captured the opening doubles point and cruised to a 6-1 victory over Utah State, Friday afternoon in the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.
MSU, who has struggled in doubles play, picked up wins at the No. 2 and 3 spots for the first point of the match.
“I felt our doubles played turned the corner,” said MSU women’s coach Denise Albrecht. “We were more aggressive and had control of the net.”
Back-to-back victories by Ali Griffin and Missy Harris pushed MSU’s lead to 3-0, before Stephanie Jasper’s 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles secured the match for the Bobcats.
Montana State also received points from McKenzie Hilmer and Andrea De Le Torre.
The Bobcat women will host Big Sky and intrastate rival Montana, Sunday at 9 a.m. in the BATC.
Montana State 6, Utah State 1
Singles: 1. Stephanie Jasper (MSU) d. Hailey Swenson 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; 2. Missy Harris (MSU) d. Bridgette Strickland 6-1, 6-3; 3. Monica Abella (USU) d. Laura Villegas 6-4, 7-5; 4. Ali Griffin (MSU) d. Taylor Perry 6-3, 6-1; 5. McKenzie Hilmer (MSU) d. Carla Limon 6-1, 6-2; 6. Andrea De Le Torre (MSU) d. Britney Watts. Doubles: 1. Swenson/Strickland (USU) d. Griffin/De Le Torre 8-7(5); 2. Jasper/Harris (MSU) d. Abella/Limon 8-2; 3. Hilmer/Villegas (MSU) d. Perry/Watts 8-1.
