Bobcat Netters Clip Eagles

Saturday, March 12

11 AM

Montana State University

Eastern Washington

Sophomore Charlotta Hjalmarsson clinched MSU's victory over Eastern Washington on Saturday at No. 1 singles.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

3/14/2011 2:35:16 PM | Women's Tennis

The Montana State women’s tennis team upped its Big Sky Conference record to 3-1 as it cruised past Eastern Washington 5-2 over the weekend

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State women's tennis team upped its Big Sky Conference record to 3-1 as it cruised past Eastern Washington 5-2 over the weekend.

Montana State (5-7, 3-1) captured the opening doubles point with victories at Nos. 1 and 3. The Bobcats put the match away with consecutives wins at the top of the ladder as Char Hjalmarsson, Paulina Lopez, Wena Tsan and Ellie Crum all notched points for MSU.

Hjalmarsson's 6-2, 6-1 victory over EWU's Caitlin Bampton at No. 1 singles clinched MSU's third Big Sky victory of the season.

“I can't remember the last time we defeated Eastern Washington by capturing the first four points,” said MSU head coach Denise Albrecht. “The kids are working very hard and we're in the thick of the conference season. Winning at Eastern Washington was a good step for a young team.”

MSU dropped a 7-0 decision at Washington State on Friday.

Montana State 5, Eastern Washington 2

Singles: 1. HJALMARSSON, Char (MSU-W) def. BAMPTON, Caitlin (EWU) 6-2, 6-1; 2. LOPEZ, Paulina (MSU-W) def. LIENING, Judy (EWU) 6-0, 6-0; 3. TSAN, Wena (MSU-W) def. DIAMANTI, Nefeli (EWU) 6-4, 7-6, 10-4; 4. CRUM, Ellie (MSU-W) def. PATTON, Chelsea (EWU) 6-2, 6-1; 5. RICKS, Helon (EWU) def. DE LA TORRE, Andrea (MSU-W) 7-6, 6-1; 6. NORENA, Rocio (EWU) def. FAIRBOTHAM, Lucy (MSU-W) 6-4, 5-7, 10-3. Doubles: 1. HJALMARSSON, Char/LOPEZ, Paulina (MSU-W) def. LIENING, Judy/DIAMANTI, Nefeli (EWU) 8-3; 2. BAMPTON, Caitlin/RICKS, Helon (EWU) def. CRUM, Ellie/DE LA TORRE, Andrea (MSU-W) 8-4; 3. TSAN, Wena/VILLEGAS, Gabi (MSU-W) def. SILHA, Alix/STEELE, Jessi (EWU) 8-2.