Box Score

BOISE, Idaho – Despite a dominating performance from junior Savannah Ware, BYU women's tennis fell 5-2 against UNLV, Saturday in Boise.

"We played really well at first and second doubles," BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "We were aggressive and took control against our opponents. Singles was a battle on all of the courts and we were most successful when we remained positive throughout the match."

The Cougars (3-9, 1-1 WCC) jumped out to an early lead after winning the doubles point. Ware and senior Nicolette Poulsen clinched for BYU with a decisive 6-1 win over the Rebels' (14-0, 1-0 MWC) Anna Bogoslavets and Mercedes Lopez Velez. At first doubles, BYU juniors Mayci Jones and Toby Miclat won 6-2 over Carol Zi Yang and Aiwen Zhu.

Ware stayed hot in singles play, finishing first at No. 5 singles and beating UNLV's Reka Szentes 6-1, 6-1, to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead. Miclat, playing No. 2 for the Cougars, fell in three sets and a tiebreaker, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) to the Rebels' Aiwen Zhu.

"Savannah and Toby both did an excellent job today," Jones said. "Savannah was super positive and that dictated the whole match. Toby battled against a tough opponent until the very last point. Her match was a very high level of play from start to finish."

At No. 3 singles, Poulsen fought hard but also fell in three sets to UNLV's Paola Artiga, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

The Rebels stormed back to win the match by winning five straight singles matches, with Anna Bogoslavets clinching after edging out Natella Nabieva with a 7-6, 7-6 victory at fourth singles. BYU's Jones fell at first singles to Yang, ranked No. 63, 6-4, 7-5, while Taylah Beckman lost at No. 6, 6-4, 6-4 to UNLV's Kotseva.

BYU returns home to face San Diego Saturday, March 19, at 11:00 a.m. MDT at the BYU tennis courts. Admission is free to the public and free pizza will be provided.  

UNLV 5, BYU 2

Singles competition

1. Carol Zi Yang (UNLV) def. Mayci Jones (BYU) 6-4, 7-5

2. Aiwen Zhu (UNLV) def. Toby Miclat (BYU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)

3. Paola Artiga (UNLV) def. Nicolette Poulsen (BYU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

4. Anna Bogoslavets (UNLV) def. Natella Nabieva (BYU) 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4)

5. Savannah Ware (BYU) def. Reka Szentes (UNLV) 6-1, 6-1

6. Iren Kotseva (UNLV) def. Taylah Beckman (BYU) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition 

1. Mayci Jones/Toby Miclat (BYU) def. Carol Zi Yang/Aiwen Zhu (UNLV) 6-3

2. Nicolette Poulsen/Savannah Ware (BYU) def. Anna Bogoslavets/Mercedes Lopez Velez (UNLV) 6-1

3. Iren Kotseva/Paola Artiga (UNLV) def. Natella Nabieva/Taylah Beckman (BYU) 6-0

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

PROVO, Utah – Following the first week of West Coast Conference play, BYU women's tennis (2-8, 1-1 WCC) travels to face Boise State and UNLV this weekend in Boise.

The Broncos will host the Cougars Friday, Mar. 11, at 5 p.m. MST. BYU will then play UNLV Saturday, Mar. 12, at 10 a.m. MST, also at the Appleton Tennis Center in Boise.

"It's an opportunity for us to play some good matches on the road," BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "Boise State is a good team and they play well on their home court. We've been focusing on doubles and winning the first point, and this week we want to start out well in every match."

Boise State (4-5, 0-0 MWC) is undefeated at home, with wins over Weber State, Idaho State and South Dakota. BYU holds a 14-3 all-time record against BSU and players from both teams competed last October in the BYU Fall Invitational.

UNLV (12-0, 1-0 MWC) have yet to lose a match this season and are coming off a 5-0 home victory over Texas State. The Cougars are 21-7 all-time against the Rebels.

Fans can follow the matches live by using the links on the schedule page.