FRESNO, Calif. – Senior Savannah Ware-Avina continued to shine but BYU women's tennis fell 4-3 against Fresno State on Friday at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center in Fresno, California.

'It was a tough weekend for us." BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. "We came out too slow in doubles and let Fresno State take control. I'm happy Savannah had such a great weekend. She's playing really well and leaving everything out there on the court."

The Cougars (3-7, 0-0 West Coast Conference) failed to capture the doubles point after falling 6-1 at third doubles and 6-2 at first singles. 

In singles, the Bulldogs (8-6) continued to roll, pulling out victories at the No. 6 and No. 3 slots to take a 3-0 lead in the match. Ware-Avina then scored the Cougars first point of the match with a 6-2, 6-1 win against Fresno State's Katerina Stloukalova at first singles.

Fresno State clinched the match with a 6-4, 6-1 victory on court No. 5. Freshman Samantha Smith also scored the next Cougar point in the match with a 6-3, 7-6(4) win at fourth singles against the Bulldogs' Juliane Triebe. Senior Natella Nabieva battled hard at the No. 2 spot but fell 6-7 (2), 6-2 to Emma Wilson and the Bulldogs took the match 5-2. 

BYU will return to California next week to face San Diego on Wednesday, March 15 at 1:30 PDT.  

Fresno State 5, BYU 2

Singles competition

1. Savannah Ware-Avina (BYU) def. Katerina Stloukalova (FS) 6-2, 6-1
2. Emma Wilson (FS) def. Natella Nabieva (BYU) 6-7 (2), 2-6 
3. Galina Bykova (FS) def. Kate Cusick (BYU) 2-6, 2-6 
4. Samantha Smith (BYU) def. Juliane Triebe (FS) 6-3, 7-6 (4) 
5. Ndindi Ndunda (FS) def. Taylah Beckman (BYU) 4-6, 1-6
6. Georgia Lawson (FS) def. Alana Bourgeois (BYU) 1-6 1-6

Doubles competition

1. Emma Wilson/Olivia Noble (FS) def. Savannah Ware-Avina/Samantha Smith (BYU) 6-2
2. Kate Cusick/Natella Nabieva (BYU) vs. Georgia Lawson/Juliane Triebe (FS) unf
3. Katerina Stloukalova/Galina Bykova (FS) def. Taylah Beckman/Alan Bourgeois (BYU) 6-1

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

PROVO, Utah – After a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over Nevada last weekend, the BYU women's tennis team travels to California this week for two road matches. 

The Cougars (3-5, 0-0 West Coast Conference) will face Middle Tennessee (5-8, 0-3 Conference USA) on Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m. PST followed by a matchup with Fresno State (4-5, 0-0 Mountain West Conference) on Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m. PST. Both matches will be played at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center in Fresno. 

BYU will attempt to earn its first road victory of the season The Cougars have performed well in doubles as of late, winning the doubles point in four of the past five matches. The Cougars are led in doubles by senior Savannah Ware-Avina and freshman Samantha Smith who hold a 5-2 doubles record in dual matches this season. 

The Blue Raiders ended a four-game skid with a victory over 4-0 victory against San Francisco last weekend. Middle Tennessee State has also defeated Sam Houston, UT-Martin, Belmont and Lipscomb and will face Fresno State on Wednesday, March. 8.  

The Bulldogs return to Fresno to protect a 1-0 home record after defeating Santa Clara on the road last week, 6-1. Fresno State's wins this season include matches against Eastern Washington and Sacramento State as well as a notable 5-2 victory over the University of Utah. 

Fans can check the BYU schedule page for information regarding live coverage.