Ware-Avina shines for BYU in loss at Denver

DENVER – Despite an outstanding performance from senior Savannah Ware-Avina, BYU women's tennis fell 6-1 to Denver on Saturday at the Stapleton Tennis Pavilion. 

"Denver is a good team, but we lacked the energy we needed to pull it out today," BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "I'm happy with how Savannah competed. She lost to Mok last year at home and was determined to pull through today and she did. It was a great win and I'm happy for her." 

In doubles, Ware-Avina combined with freshman Samantha Smith for a 6-2 victory for BYU (1-2) over Morgan Barnhill and Bianca Mok of Denver (4-1). Senior Natella Nabieva and freshman Polina Malykh battled hard at third doubles, but fell 7-5 to the Pioneers' Gracia Mboko and Sonja Radosevic. The Pioneers also claimed victory in the second doubles matchup, earning the doubles point and an early 1-0 lead. 

In singles, Ware-Avina preserved her perfect singles record in dual matches with a tight 7-6, 7-5 win at the No. 2 singles slot over the Pioneers' Mok, ranked No. 109 nationally in singles. Nabieva, competed at the No. 1 singles for the first time in her BYU career but came away empty-handed after a 6-2, 6-3 loss to the Denver's Julia O'Loughlin.  Denver picked up four more singles wins to clinch the match at 4-1 and a final 6-1 finish. 

BYU returns home to host Boise State on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 12 p.m. MST at the BYU indoor tennis courts. Admission is free to the public and free pizza will be served. 

Denver 6, BYU 1

Singles Competition

1. Julia O'Loughlin (DEN) def. Natella Nabieva (BYU) 6-2, 6-3,
2. Savannah Ware- Avina (BYU) def. Bianca Mok (DEN) 7-6, 7-5,
3. Maureen Slattery (DEN) def. Polina Malykh (BYU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Gracia Mboko (DEN) def. Samantha Smith (BYU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Arisha Ladhani (DEN) def. Kate Cusick (BYU) 6-7 (4), 6-4, 1-0
6. Sonja Radosevic (DEN) def. Taylah Beckman (BYU) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles Competition  

1. Julia O'Loughlin/Maureen Slatterly (DEN) def. Taylah Beckman/Kate Cusick (BYU) 6-1
2. Savannah Ware-Avina/Samantha Smith (BYU) def. Morgan Barnhill/Bianca Mok (DEN) 6-2
3. Gracia Mboko/Sonja Radosevic (DEN) def. Natella Nabieva/Polina Malykh (BYU) 7-5