SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah women’s tennis team made program history after defeating the #55 California Golden Bears for the first time ever. The Utes were able to take down Cal 4-3 on Friday afternoon.
“I’m really proud of the group today,” said head coach Ric Mortera. “They executed at a very high level and played with a great amount of belief. Everyone contributed to this win today and it was very much a team win. I couldn’t be more excited and happy for them. We will enjoy this today and then get back to preparations tomorrow for another great opponent in Stanford.”
Utah started the match off strong with doubles. Katya Townsend and Samantha Horwood matched Golden Bears Haley Giavara and Erin Richardson game for game on court two and pulled out the 7-5 win. On the third court, Kaila Barksdale and Marcela Lopez made up a three-game deficit to maintain their undefeated record and clinch the doubles point for the Utes, 6-4. Anastasia Goncharova and Madison Tattini were leading 16th ranked team, Jessica Alsola and Katja Wiersholm, 6-5, but the match was left unfinished.
As the match moved to singles, Barksdale was defeated by #36 Alsola, 6-1, 6-3, allowing California to tie up the match. Goncharova was able to take back the lead on court five against Berta Passola Folch, 6-2, 7-5.
Lopez earned the Utes their third point against Hannah Vill Moeller, 6-4, 7-5. In the third set, Horwood was able to clinch the match for Utah on…
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