PROVO, Utah – Freshman Helen Jiao clinches a 4-3 home victory for BYU women’s tennis over the University of Arizona, Wednesday.

Jiao secured the home win for the Cougars in the No. 5 singles position, beating Wildcat Kayla Wilkins in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

The win improves the Cougars' overall record to 8-3.

"I am so proud of this team," said BYU Head Coach Holly Parkinson Hasler. "Our theme this year is to make it happen, and that's exactly what we did today."

The Cougars opened up the match with a 1-0 advantage after winning the doubles point. In No. 3 doubles, Helen Jiao and Anastasia Abramyan fell to Gitte Heynemans and Kayla Wilkins 1-6. Emilee Astle and Polina Malykh finished soon after with a 6-2 win in No. 2 doubles over Arizona’s Abby Amos and Tayla Zandberg. No. 1 doubles team Leah Heimuli and Kate Cusick Truman secured the doubles point for BYU with a victory over Kristen Prelle and Khim Iglupas 6-4.

The Cougars extended their lead to 2-0 when Astle beat Iglupas 6-4, 6-3 in No. 4 singles. Arizona picked up its first point of the match as Abramyan fell to Amos 1-6, 4-6 in No. 3 singles.

The Wildcats tied the score at 2-2 after Heimuli fell to Zandberg 5-7, 3-6. Malykh rallied in No. 1 singles with a three-set victory over Prelle 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 to give BYU back the lead at 3-2. Jewell was next to finish in No. 6 singles, falling to Heynemans 4-6, 3-6 to tie the score back up at 3-3.

BYU starts West Coast Conference play this weekend on a three-game win streak. The Cougars were picked to finish sixth in this year's league race. 

WCC foe Saint Mary's comes to Provo this Saturday, March 14. The match between BYU and the Gaels begins at 10 a.m. MDT. Live stats and streams will be available through the BYU schedule page.

Doubles

1. Kate Cusick Truman and Leah Heimuli (BYU) def. Kristen Prelle and Khim Iglupas (UA) 6-4
2. Polina Malykh and Emilee Astle (BYU) def. Tayla Zandberg and Abby Amos (UA) 6-2
3. Gitte Heynemans and Kayla Wilkins (UA) def. Helen Jiao and Anastasia Abramyan (BYU) 6-1

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles

1. Polina Malykh (BYU) def. Kristine Prelle (UA) 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.
2. Tayla Zandberg (UA) def. Leah Heimuli (BYU) 7-5, 6-3
3. Abby Amos (UA) def. Anastasia Abramyan (BYU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Emilee Astle (BYU) def. Marie Van Aelst (UA) 6-4, 6-3
5. Helen Jiao (BYU) def. Kayla Wilkins (UA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
6. Gitte Heynemans (UA) def. Emma Jewell (BYU) 6-4, 6-3

Order of finish: 4, 3, 2, 1, 6, 5

PROVO, Utah – BYU women’s tennis returns home for two matches this week.

Game Promotions: Both home matches are free and there will be free pizza.

The Cougars host the University of Arizona Wednesday, March 11, at 10 a.m. MDT. Then on Saturday, March 14, BYU opens up the West Coast Conference campaign with a home game vs. St. Mary's. The Cougars and Gaels take the court at 10 a.m. MDT. 

BYU (7-3) aims to extend a two-match win streak following back-to-back wins on the road against New Mexico and Houston. Freshman Emilee Astle looks to continue a seven-match win streak and add to her 9-2 singles record. Astle and doubles partner Polina Malykh also look to add to their 8-1 doubles record.

University of Arizona

BYU holds a 5-7 all-time record against the Wildcats (9-6), with Arizona winning the last matchup in Provo. The Wildcats are coming off a road loss against Pac-12 foe Oregon, last Sunday.

Saint Mary’s

Conference rival Saint Mary’s (6-4) comes to Provo leading the overall series 8-3 in regular season play. The Gaels top singles player, Mariia Kozyreva, is ranked 21st nationally. 

Live stats and stream links will be available on the BYU schedule page.