SALT LAKE -- In the first conference match of the season, the BYU women’s tennis team fell to in-state rival No. 46 Utah Saturday in Salt Lake. The Cougars’ 5-2 loss drops them to 4-10 on the season, while the Utes improve to 9-6 on the year.

“It was a tough fight from the beginning of the match,” BYU coach Joey Johnson said. “We had our chances but in the end we fell short.”

In doubles, Utah struck first, easily winning the match at the No. 2 position 8-1. Romina Nedakovic and Liza Ezhova came back to even things out with their victory on court three. The Utes captured the remaining match 8-6 to secure the doubles point.

“Our No. 3 doubles played an inspired match,” Johnson said. “It came down to a close match at No. 1.”

No. 53 McCall Jones quickly put the Cougars on the board in singles, defeating Anastasia Putilina 6-4, 6-4 at the No. 1 spot. Utah responded with two more wins on courts six and two to lead BYU at 3-1. Chie Hayasaka kept the Cougars alive with her straight-set win at the No. 3 position.

Utah’s Paige Miles overcame Romina Nedakovic 7-6, 6-4 to clinch the Utes’ first conference win of the season. In the last match of the day, Elle Carney fell to Lisa Johnson 6-4, 7-6, and Utah finished the contest with a 5-2 win.

“We need to keep our eyes focused on two tough opponents this week,” Johnson said. “We will keep working hard and pushing to prepare for more conference play.”

BYU will return to Provo to play its final two home matches of the year. The Cougars take on Mountain West opponents San Diego State Thursday and UNLV Friday.

Results
No. 46 Utah- 5 
BYU- 2
 
Doubles
1. Putilina/Miles (Utah) def. Jones/Doerr (BYU), 8-6
2. Monson/Maughan (Utah) def. Hayasaka/Carney(BYU), 8-1
3. Nedakovic/Ezhova (BYU) def. Kryuchkova/Johnson (Utah), 8-6
Order of Finish: 2,3,1
Singles
1. No. 53 McCall Jones (BYU) def. Anastasia Putilina (Utah), 6-4, 6-4.
2. Evgenia Kryuchkova (Utah) def. Kristina Doerr (BYU), 6-4, 6-3.
3. Chie Hayasaka (BYU) def. Erin Monson (Utah), 7-5, 6-3
4. Paige Miles (Utah) def. Romina Nedakovic (BYU), 7-6, 6-4.
5. Lisa Johnson (Utah) def. Elle Carney (BYU), 6-4, 7-6.
6. Andrea Maughan (Utah) def. Elizaveta Ezhova (BYU), 6-2, 6-4.
Order of Finish: 1,6,2,3,4,5

PROVO -- For the first time this season, the BYU women’s tennis team will face a Mountain West Conference opponent. The Cougars travel to Salt Lake to take on in-state rival No. 46 Utah Saturday at noon.

“It’s always a fun rivalry match to have every year,” BYU coach Joey Johnson said. “The team’s very excited.”

Last week, BYU fell to Louisville and No. 18 Arizona State on the road. The Cougars are 4-9 on the season with one ranked singles player and one ranked doubles team. McCall Jones comes in at the No. 53 spot in singles. She and Megan Price are the No. 26 duo in the country.

“Utah’s had a good record this year and good results,” Johnson said. “That makes it an opportunity for us to get a good win.”

Utah swept Loyola Marymount Tuesday to improve to 8-6 on the year. When the two teams met in conference play last season, BYU won 5-2 in Provo. Players from both schools competed in the fall at the BYU Invitational, hosted by the Cougars. Kristina Doerr, Jones and Price all recorded wins against Ute opponents.

“We’re moving into crunch time with conference matches,” Johnson said. “There is a bit of a mindset shift in conference play. We’re in the home stretch.”

Saturday’s matchup begins at noon at the Eccles Tennis Center in Salt Lake.