Nabieva, Ware-Avina lead Cougars to comeback win over Aggies

PROVO, Utah – With seniors Natella Nabieva and Savannah Ware-Avina scoring key wins, BYU women’s tennis overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat Utah State 4-3 on Friday at the BYU tennis courts. 

“We did a really good job in singles today after not playing our best in doubles,” BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. “The girls showed really good energy today which allowed us to win at the top four spots.”

BYU (4-8, 0-1 West Coast Conference) began the comeback with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 win from freshman Samantha Smith on court No. 4 against Lucy Octave of Utah State (9-6, 0-0 Mountain West). Nabieva won next, defeating the Aggies’ Ekaterina Tugarinova 6-4, 7-5 at second singles. With the match on the line, Ware-Avina clinched the win 7-5, 6-4 over the Aggies’ Nini Guensler on court No. 1. 

The Cougars fell behind early after the Aggies took the doubles point, but battled back in singles play to tie the score at one after freshman Kate Cusick defeated Monka Van de Vondel 6-3, 6-2. The Aggies looked poised to take the match after establishing a 3-1 advantage, but the Cougars rallied to take each of the three remaining matchups and defend their home court.

BYU continues play this weekend with a home match against the University of Houston on Saturday, March 25 at 9:30 a.m. MDT at the BYU indoor tennis courts. Admission is free to the public and free pizza will be served.

BYU 4, Utah State 3

Singles Competition

1. Savannah Ware-Avina (BYU) def. Nini Guensler (USU) 7-5, 6-4

2. Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. Ekaterina Tugarinova (USU) 6-4, 7-5

3. Kate Cusick (BYU) def. Monka Van de Vondel (USU) 6-3, 6-2

4. Samantha Smith (BYU) def. Lucy Octave (USU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4

5. Sabrina Demerath (USU) def. Taylah Beckman (BYU) 6-2, 6-4

6. Hannah Jones (USU) def. Demi Perkinson (BYU) 6-3, 7-5

Doubles Competition

1. Ekaterina Tugarinova/Lucy Octave (USU) def. Samantha Smith/Savannah Ware-Avina (BYU) 6-2

2. Nini Guensler/Sabrina Demerath (USU) def. Kate Cusick/Natella Nabieva (BYU) 7-6 (9-7)

3. Demi Perkinson/Taylah Beckman (BYU) def. Hannah Jones/Jenna Kane (USU) 6-3

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