WSU takes down Gonzaga to improve to 2-0 on season
Despite losing doubles, singles action proves strong enough for win
WSU tennis player Elyse Tse celebrates after winning a point during an NCAA tennis match against Gonzaga, Jan 22.
January 24, 2023
WSU tennis continued its winning ways despite some hard-fought battles against Gonzaga.
Wazzu (2-0, 0-0 Pac-12) took care of business against the Bulldogs (2-1, 0-0 West Coast) in a 4-3 win Sunday.
With the win, WSU improved to 24-1 all-time against Gonzaga and extended their win streak against the school to seven.
Sunday’s match started with doubles action. No. 3 duo Yura Nakagawa and Fifa Kumhom were the first to finish, as they won their match 6-4. Unfortunately for the Cougs, they were the only duo to win their match.
No. 2 Yang Lee and Elyse Tse were unable to capitalize on a double match point and lost 7-5, Gonzaga’s No. 1 duo of Kianna Oda and Rose Hayes barely squeaked out a hard-fought 7-6 (5) victory against Maxine Murphy and Eva Alvarez Sande.
With the Bulldogs taking a 1-0 lead, the teams looked to the courts for singles action.
Singles action finished in order of No. 4, 3, 2, 5, 1 and finally 6.
The first to finish was Tse vs Oda , where the Coug dominated thoroughly in a clean 6-0, 6-0 sweep. That win tied the overall match 1-1, with the next to win three matches securing the victory.
Then, in order of finish, Nakagawa won 6-3, 6-3, Alvarez Sande won 6-4, 7-6 (4) and finally, Kumhom had control throughout a 6-2, 6-0 victory. The three wins from the middle of the Cougs singles ladder secured the overall victory for WSU.
WSU tennis player Fifa Kumhom waits for an incoming serve during an NCAA tennis match against Gonzaga, Jan 22.
The 4-1 lead meant that the final two matches had no impact on the outcome of the match, but still had an impact on the players.
The top matchup included a ranked opponent, as Murphy matched up with No. 115 Cate Broerman of Gonzaga. In the only match that went all three sets, Broerman came out on top 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Despite the loss, Murphy proved that she has the potential to be one of the best players in the conference.
WSU tennis player Maxine Murphy hits the ball during an NCAA tennis match against Gonzaga, Jan 22.
The other Coug to fall in singles action was No. 6 Stefaniia Mikhailova. She fell to Hayes of Gonzaga 6-4, 6-2.
Next up for WSU is a road match. At noon on Friday, the Cougs take on Virginia on their home court and immediately follow that with the ITA Kickoff Weekend on Saturday in Virginia.
