SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah women’s tennis program collected their fourth victory of the season over regional rival BYU on Friday evening. The Utes defeated the Cougars 4-2 in a high-tension match that came down to two tiebreaks.
“So proud of how the team bounced back tonight after a tough set of matches a couple of weekends ago,” said head coach Ric Mortera. “This young team had a great response to the challenges we put forth before them and I couldn’t be prouder of their performance. We need to continue working and building on this for the opportunities ahead.”
Utah 4, BYU 2
The Utes had a rough start in doubles, with Kat Lyman and Emma Kamper falling to BYU’s Yujia Huang and Kaavya Sawhney 6-3. Next to finish was Marcela Lopez and Ana Luiza Cruz on the No. 1 court, who were unable to hold off Cougar duo Emilee Astle and Kendall Kovick and fell 6-4, allowing BYU to claim the doubles point advantage. Sara Akid and Kaila Barksdale were fighting hard in a close match on the third court, however, it was left unfinished.
Utah rallied in singles, with Akid collecting the first victory over the Cougars’ Kendall Kovick, 6-2, 6-4. Next to finish was Lopez, who battled in the No. 1 spot but fell to Huang 6-3, 7-5. On the fourth court, Lyman grabbed the next win for the Utes, topping BYU’s Kara Wheatley 6-1, 7-5 and equalizing the score at 2-2.
Barksdale maintained the momentum on the No. 2 court, defeating Sawhney in a tiebreak 6-3, 7-6 (3). Clinching the match-winning point, Yuhan Liu overcame Tina Li during the tiebreaker 6-3, 7-6 (2). Kamper had sent her match to a third set, but it was left unfinished.
UP NEXT
The Utes will next head to Denver to play on the road Friday, Feb. 16, before hosting Colorado State at home on Sunday, Feb. 18.
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DOUBLES
1 Emilee Astle and Kendall Kovick (BYU) def. Ana Luiza Cruz and Marcela Lopez (UU) 6-4
2 Yujia Huang and Kaavya Sawhney (BYU) def. Emma Kamper and Kat Lyman (UU) 6-3
3 Sara Akid and Kaila Barksdale (UU) vs. Tina Li and Kara Wheatley (BYU) match was unfinished 4-5
SINGLES
1 Yujia Huang (BYU) def. Marcela Lopez (UU) 6-3 7-5
2 Kaila Barksdale (UU) def. Kaavya Sawhney (BYU) 6-3 7-6 (7-3)
3 Yuhan Liu (UU)…
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