Utes edge Cougars in Deseret Duel

Box Score

PROVO, Utah – The BYU women's tennis team saw another strong doubles outing from senior Savannah Ware-Avina and freshman Samantha Smith, but fell 6-1 to the University of Utah on Friday at the BYU indoor tennis courts. 

The Cougars (2-4, 0-0 West Coast Conference) got off to a fast start to win the doubles point. Ware-Avina and Smith finished first with a 6-4 victory at first singles. On court two, senior Natella Nabieva and freshman Kate Cusick defeated Utah's (3-1, 0-0 Pac-12) Jena Cheng and Taylor Calton 7-5. 

In singles, the Utes stormed back with Briana Turley defeating Nabieva 6-2, 6-2 on court two and Cheng overpowering Smith, 7-6, 6-2 at fourth singles. With the Utes leading 2-1, Calton defeated BYU freshman Alana Bourgeois 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 5 singles slot. The deciding match came down to Ware-Avina and Pletcher on court one with Pletcher pulling out the three-set victory, 6-3, 4-6, 6-6 (4), to give the Utes a 4-1 clinch.

Utah also pulled out wins on court three and six to round out the match with a score of 6-1. 

BYU takes the courts for another home match on Saturday, March 4, against the University of Nevada. The match will be played at 12 p.m. at the BYU indoor tennis courts. Admission is free to the public and free pizza will be served.