BOZEMAN, Mont. -- The Sacramento State women's tennis team jumped out to an early lead against Big Sky Conference rival Montana State, but the Hornets couldn't capitalize in singles play as the host Bobcats pulled away from a 5-2 victory on Sunday morning in Bozeman, Mont.

Sacramento State fell to 14-6 overall and 3-2 in league play, losing back-to-back matches for the first time all season following Friday's defeat at Montana. The Bobcats improved to 12-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big Sky with the win.

The Hornets claimed a 1-0 lead in the dual with a pair of easy wins in doubles as the No. 1 tandem of Weronika Ejsmont and Best Lee posted a 6-1 win, followed quickly by a 6-3 victory at No. 3 by Lou Baudouin and Mayya Gorbunova.

All six singles competitions finished in straight sets — with two of those ending in second-set tiebreakers — as Montana State tied the dual with a win at No. 4 before posting wins at the top three singles spots to officially clinch the win.

Freshman Irene Riva improved to 15-2 overall on the season, winning her match at No. 5 over the Bobcats' Andrea Ciuquerella, 6-4,6 -2, for the Hornets' only other point on the day.

Sacramento State remains on the road next week, heading to the Pacific Northwest to take on Eastern Washington on Friday (April 12) and Idaho on Sunday (April 14).

NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS
Montana State 5, Sacramento State 2
April 7, 2024 // Bozeman, Mont. (Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center)

DOUBLES
1. Weronika Ejsmont / Best Lee (SAC) def. Mar Garcia-Reboredo / Hudson Hawkins (MSU), 6-1
2. Maddy Ferreros / Irene Riva (SAC) vs. Angel Bean / Meg McCarty (MSU), 4-3 unfinished
3. Lou Baudouin / Mayya Gorbunova (SAC) def. Andrea Cuquerella / Paula Dougherty (MSU), 6-3

Order of finish: 1, 3*

SINGLES
1. Mar Garcia-Reboredo (MSU) def. Mayya Gorbunova (SAC), 7-6 (5), 6-0
2. Paula Dougherty (MSU) def. Maddy Ferreros (SAC), 6-3, 7-6 (2)
3. Meg McCarty (MSU) def. Lou Baudouin (SAC), 6-3, 6-3
4. Jasmin Lerman (MSU) def. Elena Mercioiu (SAC), 6-1, 6-1
5. Irene Riva (SAC) def. Andrea Cuquerella (MSU), 6-4, 6-2
6. Hudson Hawkins (MSU) def. Best Lee (SAC), 6-3, 7-6 (1)

Order of finish: 4, 3, 2*, 1, 5, 6