Cougars' comeback falls short against William & Mary

LUBBOCK, Texas – Despite overcoming a 3-0 deficit, BYU women's tennis fell 4-3 against No. 42 William & Mary on Saturday in Lubbock. 

"The doubles point is crucial and it made a huge difference in today's outcome," BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "Toby fought well and played great in singles despite not being at her best. Nicolette did a great job pulling out a tough win in three sets and Natella played well to win her match after losing the first set." 

After BYU (1-6) scored three straight points to tie the match 3-3, William & Mary's (6-3) Julia Casselbury outlasted Savannah Ware in a tight three-set match, winning 5-7, 0-6, 6-1 at the No. 4 singles spot. 

William & Mary started off strong by winning the doubles point. The Tribe's Casselbury and Cecily Wuenscher outplayed freshman Taylah Beckman and junior Natella Nabieva, winning 6-2 at No. 3 doubles. The Cougars' Nicolette Poulsen and Savannah Ware lost at the No. 2 doubles spot, 6-3, to WM's Lauren Goodman and Maria Groener.

In singles competition, the Tribe continued to roll with Elizaveta Nemchinov defeating junior Mayci Jones, 6-2, 6-4, at first singles. William & Mary established a 3-0 lead after Olivia Thaler defeated Beckman 6-4, 6-2, at No. 6 singles. 

BYU's Toby Miclat, playing No. 2 singles, started the comeback for the Cougars with a 7-6, 6-3, victory over WM's Marie Faure. After dropping the first set 6-2 to the Tribe's Groener, Nabieva battled back at No. 5 singles to win the next two sets, 6-3, 6-1, bringing the Cougars to within one. Poulsen, playing No. 3 singles for the Cougars, tied the match with an impressive 7-6, 1-6, 6-0, finish over WM's Goodman. 

BYU will face Utah in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 5 p.m. MST at the Eccles Tennis Center. Live stats will be available on the BYU women's schedule page. 

No. 42 WMU 4, BYU 3

Singles Competition

1. Elizaveta Nemchinov (WM) def. Mayci Jones (BYU), 6-2, 6-4 

2. Toby Miclat (BYU) def. Marie Faure (WM), 7-6, 6-3

3 Nicolette Poulsen (BYU) def. Lauren Goodman (WM), 7-6, 1-6, 6-0 

4. Julia Casselbury (WM) def. Savannah Ware (BYU) , 5-7, 6-0, 6-1

5. Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. Maria Groener (WM), 6-3, 6-1  

6. Olivia Thaler (WM) def. Taylah Beckman (BYU), 6-4, 6-2

Doubles Competition

1. Mayci Jones/Toby Miclat (BYU) vs. Julia Casselbury/ Cecily Wuenscher (WM), 5-4, unfinished

2. Lauren Goodman/ Maria Groener (WM) def. Nicolette Poulsen/Savannah Ware (BYU), 6-3

3. Julia Casselbury/Cecily Wuenscher (WM) def. Taylah Beckman/Natella Nabieva (BYU), 6-2

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