Cougars Lose to No. 16 Northwestern in Season Opener

PROVO -- After a strong start with doubles play, the BYU women's tennis team lost five of six singles matches to drop the Cougars' season opener to Northwestern University, 5-2, on Saturday night at the BYU Indoor Tennis Courts.

In doubles, BYU won the point, taking two of three doubles matches. Jodi Richardson and Brooke Ferney teamed up to defeat Colleen Cheng and Jessica Rush, 8-5, and the doubles team of Lu Oswald and Lindsay Ferrell defeated Lia Jackson and Simona Petrutiu, 9-7.

"We fought hard," said head coach Craig Manning. "We played pretty well for our first match. We were a little nervous, though, and we played a little tight. But, that's expected for the first match."

In singles, No. 53 ranked Richardson took the only singles match for the Cougars, defeating Colleen Cheng, ranked No. 50, by a score of 6-4, 7-6. Dominique Reynolds took her match to three sets, but lost to Shannon Duffy, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The Cougars begin the season with a five match homestand. BYU will face Colorado State on January 26, Purdue January 27, Mississippi on January 29, and Wisconsin on February 2, all in the BYU Indoor Tennis Courts.

Results: 
Doubles -- BYU wins point 
Richardson/Ferney def. Cheng/Rush          8-5            BYU
Duffy/Piriou def. Reynolds/Khoudoiarova    4-8            NW
Oswald/Ferrell def. Jackson/Petrutiu       9-7            BYU
Singles
Jodi Richardson def. Colleen Cheng         6-4, 7-6       BYU
Lia Jackson def. Brooke Ferney             3-6, 1-6       NW
Shannon Duffy def. Dominique Reynolds      2-6, 6-3, 6-2  NW
Marine Piriou def. Lu Oswald               3-6, 3-6       NW
Simona Petrutiu def. Lindsay Ferrell       6-2, 6-2       NW
Jessica Rush def. Liza Khoudoiarova        6-2, 6-0       NW
Final Team Score: Northwestern 5, BYU 2