The women’s tennis team came away with a rivalry win in the Deseret First Duel as it defeated BYU by a score of 5-2 last Saturday in Provo. Although the Utes executed strong doubles play, there were a couple of losses in singles play that threatened to diminish the lead the doubles teams had built.
Head coach Mat Iandolo said BYU is a good team indoors, and while he felt his team didn’t play great, players competed hard at the end of each of their matches to get the team victory.
The 17th-ranked doubles team of Paige Miles and Tereza Bekerova showed why they hold the No. 1 position on the team, as they defeated Meghan Sheehan-Dizon and Nicolette Tran 8-3. They were followed by Sarah Pham and Callie Craig, who also won their match 8-3. Even though Utah had already captured the doubles point, Elena Najera-Salas and Natasha Smith completed the Utes’ sweep with their 7-6 win.
“I absolutely love playing with Tereza,” Miles said. “Usually it takes some time getting used to a new partner and winning big matches … she’s been so patient and positive in my return from a [medical] redshirt.”
As Utah transitioned into singles play Saturday, the team started off strong with a victory, but then Najera-Salas and Pham lost consecutive matches.
Utah was able to rally, however, and took the next four matches. Craig won in the No. 3 spot, and then Bekerova won a tight match. Miles won her match to seal the win for the Utes. Smith added the cherry on top with her win in the sixth position, a three-set nail-biter of 4-6, 6-4 and 6-0.
Iandolo said while team chemistry is great, adversity will raise its head when they’re not winning.
“It’s important that you handle adversity with dignity,” Iandolo said.
These words might get put to the test as the next several matches for the Utes are against traditionally difficult opponents. Utah begins its Pac-12 schedule with matches against Arizona and Arizona State this weekend. They will then play the Wildcats on Friday and the No. 21 Sun Devils on Sunday.