Cougars claim 5-2 victory against USU Friday

LOGAN, Utah – A complete team effort gave BYU women's tennis a 5-2 win on the road against Utah State University.

The Cougars are now 4-2 in the season, handing USU its first loss of their 3-1 season.

“Today was a true team effort,” BYU head coach Holly Parkinson Hasler said. “Everyone took care of business and the team's sideline support was crucial to surviving through many distractions. I am proud of the way we came together as a team.”

In doubles play, Polina Malykh competed with No. 3 doubles partner Emilee Astle, securing the first match win of the day after a 6-2 victory over the Aggies' Gabrielle Dekkers and Zara Ryan. Malykn and Astle are now 5-0 on the year at the No.3 doubles position for BYU.

In No. 1 doubles, Leah Heimuli and Kate Cusick Truman also added to an impressive doubles record of 5-1 on the season when they secured the doubles point in a 7-5 win against USU's Sidnee Lavatai and Hannah Jones. Helen Jiao and Emma Jewell battled hard but fell 4-6 to Carolina Millan and Renata Lombera in No. 2 doubles.

The Cougars have not given up a doubles point so far this season.

Astle finished her No. 3 singles match first in straight sets 6-1, 6-0 over USU’s Ryan, giving BYU a 2-0 lead. Heimuli got the Cougars another point soon after in No. 2 singles, finishing 6-3, 6-4 against Dekkers. With BYU up 3-0, Cusick Truman fell in a tough three-set battle 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 to Lucy Octave in the No. 1 singles match bringing the Aggies within two at 3-1. Anastasia Abramyan extended the Cougars' lead to 4-1 with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 comeback win in No. 4 singles.

In No. 5 singles, Jiao secured a 6-3, 6-0 victory against Milan to clinch the match at 5-1 for BYU. Jewell also competed in No. 6 singles but fell 2-6, 4-6 to USU's Annaliese County.

The Cougars return to Provo for a home match Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. MDT. The match will be played on BYU’s Indoor Tennis Courts. Live stream and live stats are available on the BYU schedule page.

Doubles

1. Kate Cusick Truman/Leah Heimuli (BYU) def. Sidnee Lavatai/Hannah Jones (USU) 7-5

2. Carolina Millan/Renata Lombera (USU) def. Helen Jiao/Emma Jewell (BYU) 6-4

3. Emilee Astle/Polina Malykh (BYU) def. Gabrielle Dekkers/Zara Ryan (USU) 6-2

Order of finish – 3, 2, 1

Singles

1. Lucy Octave (USU) def. Kate Cusick Truman (BYU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

2. Leah Heimuli (BYU) def. Gabrielle Dekkers (USU) 6-3, 6-4

3. Emilee Astle (BYU) def. Zara Ryan (USU) 6-1, 6-0

4. Anastasia Abramyan (BYU) def. Hannah Jones (USU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

5. Helen Jiao (BYU) def. Carolina Millan (USU) 6-3, 6-0

6. Annaliese County (USU) def. Emma Jewell (BYU) 6-2, 6-4

Order of finish – 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6