Cusick’s win not enough to hold off Gonzaga

PROVO, Utah – Despite a strong effort from Kate Cusick in singles play, BYU women’s tennis fell to Gonzaga 4-1 Saturday afternoon at BYU’s Outdoor Tennis Courts.

“We had a hard time in doubles today,” BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. “It obviously didn’t help us going into singles being down 1-0. That proved today to be a huge disadvantage. We’ve just got to start off stronger more consistently and we’ll be okay. Kate (Cusick) had a huge win for us today. I’m really proud of the way she came out and played during singles play.”

Gonzaga (12-1, 3-1 West Coast Conference) took control early with wins at second and third doubles. Sophie Whittle and Graciela Rosas defeated Cusick and Samantha Smith 6-4, while Haruna Tsuruta and Kate Ketels defeated Taylah Beckman and Demi Perkinson 6-3.

The Zags’ Whittle won first in singles against Savannah Ware-Avina 6-2, 6-0 before Cusick came storming back for BYU (6-9, 1-2 WCC) winning 6-1, 6-2 against Alex Bourguignon. Gonzaga’s Tsuruta beat Smith 6-4, 6-4 before Domonique Garley secured the 4-1 victory win a win over Perkinson 7-5, 7-5.

The Cougars hit the road next for a match at Saint Mary’s Friday, April 7, at 2 p.m. PDT.

Gonzaga 4, BYU 1

Singles competition

1. WHITTLE, Sophie (GON) def. Savannah Ware-Avina (BYU) 6-2, 6-0

2. Natella Nabieva (BYU) vs. ROSAS, Graciela (GON) 7-6 (9-7), 5-0, unfinished

3. Kate Cusick (BYU) def. BOURGUIGNON, Alex (GON) 6-1, 6-2

4. TSURUTA, Haruna (GON) def. Samantha Smith (BYU) 6-4, 6-4

5. Taylah Beckman (BYU) vs. KETELS, Kate (GON) 6-2, 2-6, 4-1, unfinished

6. GARLEY, Domonique (GON) def. Demi Perkinson (BYU) 7-5, 7-5

Doubles competition

1. Savannah Ware-Avina/Natella Nabieva (BYU) def. BOURGUIGNON, Alex/GARLEY, Domonique (GON) 6-3

2. WHITTLE, Sophie/ROSAS, Graciela (GON) def. Kate Cusick/Samantha Smith (BYU) 6-4

3. TSURUTA, Haruna/KETELS, Kate (GON) def. Taylah Beckman/Demi Perkinson (BYU) 6-3

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