After losing three straight matches to Washington, Kansas and Washington State, the U women’s tennis team finally broke out of its slump, as it defeated the Idaho State Bengals, 5-2.
However the Utes still had a match against the No. 62 ranked SMU Mustangs. Utah kept it close, but was defeated by the slimmest of margins, 4 3. The loss sent the Utes back to a .500 record of 6-6.
Utah outclassed Idaho State as most matches featured Utah players utterly dominating the Idaho State players.
Sheri Esrock defeated Hayli Scott, 6-3, 6-2. Cassie Kasteler continued her solid play by defeating Carol Tolsma 6-2, 6-0.
Allison Hansen was in a close match with Melanie Kranz, however Kranz had to pull out of the match due to an injury, 4-6, 6-3, (retired).
Up-and-coming freshman Ellen Svensson defeated Kristina Arutjunova 6-2, 6-0.
Utah really shined in the doubles play, as not one of the doubles teams lost for the Utes.
Svensson and Irini Kotoglou won their match 8-4, while Linn Ronnberg and Esrock ousted Tolsma and Scott 8-2.
Cassie Kasteler and Allison Hansen finished off the doubles sweep by defeating Arutjunova and Kranz, 8-3.
The Utes were so close to defeating the Mustangs, but Ronnberg could not defeat Kit Carson in the final matchup, 4 6, 6-3, 4-6.
Though that contest was the last chance for the Utes to come out on top, many of the other Ute players played very well.
Kotoglou defeated Jenny Langer 6-3, 7-6. Esrock had a tough match with Allison Leuszler in a close match, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 and Svensson defeated Siayareh Rambally 6 4, 6-1.
The doubles matches could have swayed the outcome of the match as well. Kasteler and Hansen lost to Leuszler and Rambally 9-8.
The Utes’ next match will come on Friday, March 15, as they play the Rice Owls and then will play TCU on Sunday, March 17.
Rice comes into the match with a 6-9 record, while TCU has amassed a record of 9-3.