Box Score 

PROVO, Utah – Despite strong play in singles from juniors Savannah Ware and Natella Nabieva, BYU women's tennis fell 4-2 against Saint Mary's on Friday at the BYU tennis courts. 

"It really all comes down to doubles," BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "That extra first point gives you more room in singles and it hurt to lose it today. We fought hard in singles and I thought Savannah, Natella and Mayci each played well."

In doubles play, the competition was tight between the Cougars (5-15, 3-5 WCC) and the Gaels (9-10, 6-3 WCC) with momentum swinging both ways. After Ware and senior Nicolette Poulsen fell 6-0 at second doubles, BYU fought back to take the No. 1 doubles matchup as juniors Mayci Jones and Toby Miclat won 6-4 against Clementine Clement and Emma Critser. 

At third doubles, despite a 4-0 lead, Nabieva and freshman Taylah Beckman dropped the No. 3 matchup 6-4 to allow the Gaels to take the first point of the match. 

In singles, Saint Mary's built a 3-0 lead after Kareena Manji defeated BYU's Sarah Clifford at sixth singles, 6-1, 6-4, and Miclat fell 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 at the No. 2 slot to Jana McCord.

The Cougars responded with two wins at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots. Nabieva defeated the Gaels' Critser, 6-1, 6-4, and Ware defeated Aniek Von Rossum 7-5, 6-2. With the score 3-2 in favor of St. Mary's, Clement clinched for the Gaels, winning 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 over Poulsen at third singles. 

BYU wraps up the regular season against Pacific on Saturday at noon at the BYU tennis courts. Admission is free to the public and free pizza will be provided. 

Saint Mary's 4, BYU 2

Singles competition

1. Mayci Jones (BYU) vs. Jamie Pawid (SMC) 6-4, 5-5, unfinished

2. Jana McCord (SMC) def. Toby Miclat (BYU) 6-4, 0-6, 6-3

3. Clementine Clement (SMC) def. Nicolette Poulsen (BYU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2

4. Savannah Ware (BYU) def. Aniek Van Rossum (SMC) 7-5, 6-2

5. Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. Emma Critser (SMC) 6-1, 6-4

6. Kareena Manji (SMC) def. Sarah Clifford (BYU) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles competition

1. Mayci Jones/Toby Miclat (BYU) def. Clementine Clement/Emma Critser (SMC) 6-4

2. Jana McCord/Jamie Pawid (SMC) def. Nicolette Poulsen/Savannah Ware (BYU) 6-0

3. Parminder Kaur/Kareena Manji (SMC) def. Natella Nabieva/Taylah Beckman (BYU) 6-4

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,2,5,4,3)

PROVO, Utah – After going 1-1 in West Coast Conference play last weekend, BYU women’s tennis returns home for its final two regular season matches.

BYU (5-14, 3-4 WCC) will host Saint Mary’s (8-10, 5-3 WCC) on Friday, April 22, at 12 p.m. MDT and Pacific (7-11, 2-6 WCC) on Saturday, April 23, at 12 p.m. MDT. Both matches will be played at the BYU Outdoor Tennis Courts.

Coming off a 4-3 win over LMU and a loss to No. 10 Pepperdine, the Cougars are looking to secure a berth in the WCC tournament. BYU is currently tied with Loyola Marymount and San Francisco for fifth place in the WCC standings, with the top six teams receiving invitations to the tournament.

Senior Nicolette Poulsen, of Lake Elsinore, CA, will make her final home appearances for the Cougars this weekend. Poulsen is 10-10 in singles this season and holds an all-time 43-44 singles and 41-41 doubles record.

Saint Mary’s is currently ranked second in the conference and last defeated Gonzaga, 4-0. The Gaels have a 3-7 road record this season.

Pacific is ranked tenth in the WCC and looks to rebound following a 4-2 loss against the Zags. The Cougars are 1-1 all-time against the Tigers.

Admission is free to the public and free pizza will be provided. Fans can follow the matches live.