Tennis wins every match on the way to victory
Cole Quinn
WSU tennis player Young Lee hits the ball during an NCAA match against Montana, Jan. 13.
The first step into the spring season for the WSU tennis team was all-around dominance from the Cougs. Proving that a cougar bite is better than a grizzly bite, WSU beat Montana 7-0 on Friday.
The win continues to build on the impressive record the Cougs have accumulated against Montana, now sitting at 16-0 all-time against the program. Friday’s game was the Cougs’ 11th straight win and the eighth time they have faced each other in the last nine games.
The match began in doubles, where the Cougs’ No. 1 duo of Maxine Murphy and Eva Alvarez Sande won. 7-5. At one point, the pair went up 5-2 and after some difficult points, it became close. Despite the tough odds, they hang on and complete the sweep with double duty.
WSU tennis player Maxine Murphy serves the ball during an NCAA match against Montana, January 13, 2010.
The other two WSU duos had little trouble in their victories. Elyse Tse and Yang Li led the way with a 6-1 win.
Fifa Kumhom and Stefania Mikheilova, the No. 3 seed, had some back-and-forth points to start their match. They won 6-2 with a score of 3-2.
WSU tennis player Stefania Mykhailova prepares for her next serve during an NCAA match against Montana, Jan. 13.
In singles matches, the Cougs built their momentum and the team’s top two set the tone. No. 1 Murphy and No. 2 Alvarez Sande both finished 12-1 overall, with Murphy winning 6-0, 6-1 and Alvarez Sande 6-1, 6-0.
WSU tennis player Maxine Murphy serves the ball during an NCAA match against Montana, January 13, 2010.
No. 4 Qumhom was on top of her game as she raced to a 3-0 lead after winning the first game 6-2. Despite losing a point, her 6-2, 6-1 victory gave the Coogs hope.
The remaining three matches were a different story. It was a struggle for the players as it all ended in victory. No. 3 straight 6-4, 7-6 (6), No. 5 Lee in marathon 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-2) and finally no. 6 Mikhailova won 6-3, 6-2.
WSU has just over a week off before they play again. Their next match is Friday at noon against Gonzaga on the Simmelink Tennis Courts at Hollingbury Field House in Pullman.
