Cowgirls Battle Back to Best UNLV on the Road
Two-day match ends in hard-fought win
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 31, 2024) – It was a battle across two days, but ultimately, the Wyoming Cowgirl tennis team rallied to prevail for a 4-3 victory over UNLV. The match, which began Saturday morning, was postponed due to rain in Las Vegas and ended Sunday afternoon with the Cowgirls coming out on top for the hard-fought win.
“I thought we played our style of doubles again, and that put us in a good position going into singles,” said Head Coach Dean Clower.
“In singles, this was a total team win. We battled at every spot, one through six. To be able to be on the road for six days straight, go through rain delays, and come out on top is no small task. I am proud of how the team stayed the course and played the way we did.”
Wyoming (12-8, 3-2 MW) opened the match by winning the doubles point Saturday. The Cowgirls got wins at No. 1 and 2, both by a score of 6-3. At No. 1, Violetta Borodina and Sophie Zehender won, while at No. 2, Noesjka Brink and Nikol Dobrilova also prevailed.
After play was suspended Saturday in the first set of singles play, play resumed Sunday. In singles, UW got a pair of come-from-behind, three-set victories, at the No. 1 and 2 positions. Brink clinched the match for the Cowgirls at the second spot, rallying to win 6-7 (1-7), 6-2 and 6-4. At No. 1, Zehender also rallied to victory, 3-6, 6-4 and 6-4.
Jeselle Ante got the other singles win for the Brown & Gold, as she got it done at No. 4 singles, 7-6 and 6-2.
The Cowgirls return to action next week with a pair of home matches. Wyoming will play three consecutive home matches from April 5-11. UW welcomes in Fresno State Friday, for a 3 p.m., match to begin the homestand.
Wyoming at UNLV
March 30-31, 2024 at Las Vegas
(Fertitta Tennis Complex)
Wyoming 4, UNLV 3
Singles competition
1. Sophie Zehender (WYO) def. Zita Kovacs (UNLV) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
2. Noesjka Brink (WYO) def. Salsa Aher (UNLV) 6-7 (1-7), 6-2, 6-4
3. Cindy Hu (UNLV) def. Violetta Borodina (WYO) 6-4, 6-3
4. Jeselle Ante (WYO) def. Coco Zhao (UNLV) 7-6, 6-2
5. Nikol Mircheva (UNLV) def. Nikol Dobrilova (WYO) 6-1, 7-5
6. Aura Fang (UNLV) def. Lucia Malinak (WYO) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Sophie Zehender/Violetta Borodina (WYO) def. Zita Kovacs/Hanna Vinahradava (UNLV) 6-3
2. Noesjka Brink/Nikol Dobrilova (WYO) def. Cindy Hu/Coco Zhao (UNLV) 6-3
3. Salsa Aher/Aura Fang (UNLV) vs. Lucia Malinak/Jeselle Ante (WYO) 5-5, unfinished