The University of Utah’s women’s tennis team battled for a 4-3 win over Colorado Friday afternoon, securing the most wins in a Pac-12 season since 2015.
“I am just proud of this group,” said head coach Ric Mortera. “Regardless of adversity or obstacles that have come their way, they continue to fight, they continue to work and that’s what it’s all about. So impressed by Kaila (Barksdale) showing such great composure and maturity to come back and clinch the match. We are excited to get back home and prepare for the Pac-12 Tournament.”
The Utes started off by getting the doubles point. Colorado claimed the first win in doubles action at the No. 2 spot but Kaila Barksdale and Marcela Lopez countered with a Utah victory at the No. 3 spot. Barksdale and Lopez picked up a 6-3 win over Ellen PUzak and Betina Tokac. Madison Tattini and Anastasia Goncharova then clinched the doubles point for the Utes by defeating Antonia Balzert and Aya El Sayed at the No. 1 spot with a 6-3 score.
Singles play started out strong with Lopez picking up a 6-3, 6-2 win over Tokac to kick things off. With momentum in favor of the Utes, Townsend followed in suit with a 6-3, 6-2 win in the No. 1 spot over Balzert.
Utah had a 3-0 lead and just needed one more singles victory to claim the match. Colorado wasn’t backing down and forced Goncharova into a tie break set and stole away the Ute victory to put the Buffs on the board. Then Utah went into a full three sets on court No. 6 and No. 2 with Colorado claiming victories in both.
The overall match was tied 3-3 with Barksdale left to finish at the No. 3 spot. Barksdale won her first set 6-4 before falling in the second set 2-6 to force a third. In the third set, Barksdale and Mila Stanojevic were tied at six all forcing a tiebreaker.
Barksdale powered through to pull out the 7-4 tiebreak win and give Utah the overall match edge to claim the 4-3 victory.
Utah is now 13-10 overall on the season and 4-6 in the Pac-12.
UP NEXT
The Utes will head to the Pac-12 Championships in Ojai, Calif. April 26-29.
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