MORAGA, Calif. – Despite a strong performance by senior Natella Nabieva at first singles, BYU women’s tennis fell 4-2 to Saint Mary’s on Monday in Moraga, Calif. 

Due to threatening weather conditions, play between BYU (8-13, 3-6 West Coast Conference) and Saint Mary’s (12-7, 7-2 WCC) was limited to singles competition in the Cougars’ final dual match of the regular season. Despite the loss, the Cougars secured a No. 6 seed in the West Coast Conference Tournament.

The Gaels got off to an early lead after Parminder Kaur defeated BYU’s Samantha Smith 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4 singles. Freshman Kate Cusick evened the score with a 6-2, 6-1 victory at third singles against SMC's Kareena Manji. 

Saint Mary’s took the No. 6 singles matchup next to retake the lead. Nabieva won big at first singles, defeating Jacqueline Pelletier 6-3, 6-2 to tie the match score for BYU at two points apiece. The Gaels answered by picking up a pair of three-set victories at the No. 5 and No. 2 slots to win the match 4-2. 

The Cougars will again face Saint Mary’s, the No. 3 seed, later this week in the opening round of the West Coast Conference Tournament. The match will be played on Thursday, April 27 at 10 a.m. PST at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center in Claremont, Calif.  

Saint Mary's 4, BYU 2

Singles competition

1. Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. Jacqueline Pelletier (SMC) 6-3, 6-2

2. Clementine Clement (SMC) def. Savannah Ware-Avina (BYU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

3. Kate Cusick (BYU) def. Kareena Manji (SMC) 6-2, 6-1

4. Parminder Kaur (SMC) def. Samantha Smith (BYU) 6-2, 6-1

5. Danielle McIntyre (SMC) def. Taylah Beckman (BYU) 0-6, 7-5, 6-2

6. Vanessa Nommensen (SMC) def. Demi Perkinson (BYU) 6-3, 6-1

Order of finish: Singles (4,3,6,1,5,2)

PROVO, Utah – With six matches remaining in the 2017 regular season, BYU women's tennis continues its West Coast Conference schedule with matches on Friday and Saturday this weekend in California. 

The Cougars face the Saint Mary's Gaels (8-6, 3-1 WCC) on Friday at 2 p.m. PDT before visiting Pacific (5-9, 0-4 WCC) on Saturday with play beginning at noon PDT. 

BYU (6-9, 1-2 WCC) is coming off a four-match home stand that produced three victories with wins over Utah State, Houston and Portland. The Cougars are led by seniors Savannah Ware-Avina and Natella Nabieva and BYU currently stands seventh in the WCC rankings with all six remaining matches scheduled against WCC opponents.

After a slow 0-3 start to the season, Saint Mary's has posted a 8-3 record and now looks to protect a 5-3 home court record against the Cougars. The Gaels sit in fourth place in the WCC standings and recently defeated conference opponents San Francisco, 4-0, and Santa Clara, 4-2, with both matches being played on the road. 

Pacific will defend a 2-3 home record while still searching for their first conference victory of the season. The Tigers look to end a five-match skid with losses coming against WCC opponents San Francisco, Santa Clara, Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount. Prior to Saturday's match, the Tigers will host the Dons of San Diego at home on Friday. 

Fans can check the BYU schedule page for information regarding live coverage.