BYU women’s tennis slams ranked Denver in home opener

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BYU women’s tennis never let up in its first home match of the season, defeating No. 50 Denver easily 6-1, not dropping a set until the sixth match of the day.

The Cougars (2-3) won their second straight match in their home opener for their first win against a ranked opponent. They went 1-3 on the road to start the season, two losses coming against top 45 ranked teams.

“It was a great match for us,” BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. “Being the underdogs in the match, it was really important for us to take them in doubles and start the momentum going our way. There were some tight matches — but they stayed confident, played their game, and this is the win we’ve been looking for.”

With the match tightly in hand, freshman Savannah Ware dominated the last match of the afternoon, defeating Evy Van Genechten, 1-6, 0-6, stamping the victory with a statement sixth point.

The Cougars swept the doubles matches, starting them off with a solid performance by Morgan Anderson and Mackenna Maddox, who took the No. 3 doubles match easily, 3-8. Sophomore Nicolette Tran and freshman Mayci Jones battled at the No. 2 spot to come back and win 8-7, giving the Cougars the first point of the match.

Jones, playing her singles match at the No. 1 position, beat the Pioneers’ Caroline Schnell with ease, 6-0, 3-6 for the second point of the match for the Cougars.

Nicolette Tran followed up her win in doubles with a singles win at the no. 3 spot against Sonja Radosevic, 7-6, 7-5. Desiree Tran gave the Cougars their fourth point in comeback style, holding on to defeat Kathryn Hughes, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5, securing the win for BYU.

With the score and momentum, Sheehan-Dizon dominated the third set in a tough battle against Maureen Slattery, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.

The Cougars shoot for three straight wins when they face bitter rival No. 55 Utah in the Deseret Duel Wed., Feb. 19, in Salt Lake City.

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