PROVO, Utah – Senior Demi Perkinson and sophomore Taylah Beckman powered the BYU women's tennis team to a 4-3 comeback victory over the University of Nevada on Saturday at the BYU indoor courts. 

'We had a lot more belief in ourselves today and stayed determined on our game plan, and I think that's why came out on top." BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "We fought hard and played with a lot of heart."

With the Cougars trailing 3-2, Perkinson scored a decisive 6-4, 6-1 win on court six over Nevada's (3-5, 0-0) Sara Korzeniecki to tie the score. Beckman, playing at the No. 5 slot, clinched the match for the Cougars with a three-set 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-1 win against the Wolf Pack's Calijn Ketting.

"Demi stepped up today in her first singles match of the season and really helped the team, and it was great to see Taylah get the clinch victory for us," Jones-Spencer said.  

The Cougars opened the match by capturing the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead. Beckman and Perkinson finished first with a 6-1 victory at third doubles over the Pack's Blaga Delic and Milena Achlamov. On court two, freshman Kate Cusick and senior Natella Nabieva clinched the doubles point  for BYU with a 6-4 win over Claudia Herrero and Ketting. 

In singles, Nevada responded with wins at second and third singles to jump out to a 2-1 lead. BYU freshman Samantha Smith brought the Cougars back within striking distance with a  6-1, 5-7, 6-4 win over Nevada's Delic to put the score at 3-2, setting up the wins by Perkinson and Beckman. 

BYU will travel to Fresno, California for two matches next week. The Cougars face Middle Tennessee on Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m. PST before playing Fresno State on Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m. PST. 

BYU 4, University of Nevada 3

Singles competition  

1. Claudia Herrero (NV) def. Savannah Ware-Avina (BYU) 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4

2. Sheila Morales (NV) def. Natella Nabieva (BYU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-1)

3. Adriana Gergelyova (NV) def. Kate Cusick (BYU) 6-4, 6-2

4. Samantha Smith (BYU) def. Blaga Delic (NV) 6-1, 5-7, 6-4

5. Taylah Beckman (BYU) def. Carlijn Ketting (NV) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-1

6. Demi Perkinson (BYU) def. Sara Korzeniecki (NV) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Savannah Ware-Avina/Samantha Smith (BYU) vs. Adriana Gergelyova/Sheila Morales (NV) 4-5, unfinished

2. Kate Cusick/Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. Claudia Herrero/Carlijn Ketting (NV) 6-4

3. Taylah Beckman/Demi Perkinson (BYU) def. Blaga Delic/Milena Achlamov (NV) 6-1

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

PROVO, Utah – After battling hard in two matches played last weekend in Hawaii, BYU women's tennis looks to rebound with two home matches this week.

The Cougars host the University of Utah in the Deseret Duel on Friday, March 3, at noon MST and the University of Nevada on Saturday, March 4, at noon with both matches being played at the BYU indoor tennis courts.

The Cougars (2-4, 0-0 West Coast Conference) are led by seniors Savannah Ware-Avina and Natella Nabieva. BYU looks to get back on the winning track after falling to Hawaii 5-2 last week and suffering a narrow 4-3 defeat to Long Beach State. The Cougars hold a 2-1 home record on the season. 

The University of Utah (2-1, 0-0 Pac 12) comes into this week's match seeking its first road victory of the season. The Utes recorded home victories against the University of Wisconsin and New Mexico but suffered a 5-2 defeat on the road against Fresno State. Last season in Salt Lake on the Utes' home court, Utah defeated BYU by the score of 7-0.

Nevada (3-4, 0-0 Mountain West Conference) has dropped three straight matches following a 3-1 start to the 2017 season. The Wolfpack earned victories over Santa Clara, Sacramento State and Grand Canyon University. The Cougars last hosted Nevada in 2014, winning by a score of 5-2. 

Admission is free and free pizza will be provided to fans attending the match. Live video and stats for the match are available on the women’s tennis schedule page.