College roundup: Utes top Cougars in tight women's tennis dual

SALT LAKE CITY — The 33rd-ranked University of Utah women's tennis team (8-5, 0-2 Pac-12) defeated rival BYU (4-9) 5-2 Saturday, at the Eccles Tennis Center. Sophomore Lucia Kovarcikova earned the match-clinching point for the Utes by besting Aubrey Paul 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, at the No. 5 singles spot.

"I said before the match that you could throw out the record books in this rivalry," stated Mat Iandolo. "I knew this was going to be a tough match and they gave us a tough match. I am very impressed with BYU's heart and fight. I am proud and happy that our team came out with a win."

In doubles play, Kovarcikova and freshman Danielle Flores dropped an 8-3 decision to Morgan Anderson and Megan Sheehan-Dizon at the No. 2 position. At the No. 3 spot, sophomore Sarah Pham and freshman Sammie Watson defeated Paul and Andie Young 8-5.

Senior Anastasia Putilina and sophomore Callie Craig then captured the doubles point for Utah by topping Desiree Tran and Megan Price 8-5 at the No. 1 position.

In singles play, Flores dropped a 6-2, 6-4, decision to Sheehan-Dizon at the No. 4 singles spot, making the score 1-1.

At the No. 2 position, Pham downed Anderson 6-4, 6-2, putting the Utes up 2-1 over the Cougars.

Craig topped Price 6-4, 6-3, at the No. 3 spot, giving Utah a 3-1 lead over BYU.

Putilina, ranked No. 63, suffered a 6-3, 0-6, 6-3, upset by Tran at the No. 1 position, making the score 3-2.

Kovarcikova then clinched the match at 4-2 from the No. 5 spot.

At the No. 6 position, Watson defeated Lisa Waldron 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, making the final score 5-2 in favor of the Utes.

SUU SPLITS 2 IN VEGAS: At Las Vegas, the T-birds (5-5) bounced back from a disappointing morning loss to UMKC, beating South Dakota in the nightcap.

Softball

BYU TAKES 2: At Fullerton, Calif., BYU finished off its second opponent in three games early on Friday, defeating UC Davis 9-0 in six innings at the Judi Garman Classic. A day after beating Purdue 14-1 in five innings, the Cougars again left no doubt in the result behind a 3 for 4 day at the plate by Carly Duckworth and a combined shutout pitched by Hannah Howell and Tori Almond. Howell improved to 7-4 on the season in four innings pitched as BYU pushed its record to 15-8.

SOUTH DAKOTA 9, SOUTHERN UTAH 8: At Cedar City, SUU (15-9) but committed six errors and stranded 11 players on base during the contest, leaving the bases loaded in the second and fifth inning. The second inning was especially costly as the bases were loaded with no outs after Terysa Dyer, Madison Resley and Haylee Hoch led off the frame with consecutive singles.

Track

USU THROWER BREAKS 2 RECORDS IN 2 DAYS: At Tucson, Ariz., Utah State's Lindsey Spencer shattered her second school record in as many days, capturing the discus title (53.10 meters) on Saturday, the final day of Arizona's Willie Williams Classic. On Friday, Spencer set a school record in the hammer throw with a toss of 60.30m (197-10.00), passing former Aggie great and All-American Krista Larson.

Men's volleyball

BYU 3, HAWAII 2: At Honolulu, Hawaii, in five sets (25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 36-34, 15-12) the No. 4 BYU men's volleyball team defeated No. 11 Hawaii late Friday.Sophomore Taylor Sander tied the record for total attempts in a single match, in the rally-scoring era, with 58 on the night. Senior Futi Tavana set a new record in the match for total blocks in a single match, in the rally-scoring era, with 14 to lead all players.

Baseball