Bobcat Women Defeat Vikings to Stay Undefeated in Big Sky Action

Sunday, February 19

Portland, OR

10 a.m. (MT)

Montana State University

Portland State

Wanda Holopainen secured MSU's win over PSU at No. 6 singles.

Photo by: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez

Bobcat Women Defeat Vikings to Stay Undefeated in Big Sky Action

2/20/2017 1:07:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Montana State senior Wanda Holopainen posted a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over Portland State’s Taylor Rees at No. 6 singles to lift the Bobcat women’s tennis team to a 4-3 win over the Vikings, Sunday afternoon in Big Sky Conference play.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State senior Wanda Holopainen posted a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over Portland State's Taylor Rees at No. 6 singles to lift the Bobcat women's tennis team to a 4-3 win over the Vikings, Sunday afternoon in Big Sky Conference play.

Montana State (4-2, 2-0) found itself down 2-0 to Portland State (0-4, 0-3) after dropping the doubles points and No. 5 singles. The Bobcats responded as No. 1 singles standout Laura Middel posted a 7-6 (2), 6-1 win over Siena Peri. The Vikings pushed its margin back to two points as Sally Partington downed MSU's Angelina Philippova in a hard-fought 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 decision at the No. 4 spot on the ladder.

"It was a difficult day on very quick courts," said MSU women's tennis coach Jon Reeves. "Portland State came after it from the start and had us in a tough spot. After losing the doubles point we had to reset and prepare to play tough points."

Trailing 3-1, Montana State rattled off three consecutive match wins sparked by freshman Chloe Goyette at No. 2 singles. The product of Yakima, Wash., defeated PSU's Tracy Dong 6-2, 7-6 (3). Naomi Holopainen evened the match with a come-from-behind 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles, before twin sister Wanda put the match in the win column for MSU.

"Laura Middel, Chloe Goyette and Naomi Holopainen all competed incredibly well to win," Reeves said. "Wanda Holopainen simply took control of her match from the start. I'm proud of this team. We have a lot to work on still, but the competing aspect is coming together."

MSU will face Lewis-Clark State and Boise State next Saturday in Boise.

Montana State 4, Portland State 3

Singles:
1. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) def. PERI, Siena (PSU) 7-6 (7-2), 6-1
2. GOYETTE, Chloe (MSU) def. DONG, Tracy (PSU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
3. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) def. DOBELL, Georgia (PSU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
4. PARTINGTON, Sally (PSU) def. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
5. PREDA, Sabina-Elena (PSU) def. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 6-2, 6-2
6. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) def. REES, Taylor (PSU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles:
1. PERI, Siena/DONG, Tracy (PSU) def. MIDDEL, Laura/HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 7-5
2. GOYETTE, Chloe/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. PARTINGTON, Sally/REES, Taylor (PSU) 6-4
3. DOBELL, Georgia/PREDA, Sabina-Elena (PSU) def. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) 6-1