PORTLAND, Ore. – Washington State completed a two-match sweep through the Pacific Northwest by completing a 5-2 victory over Portland Monday afternoon at the Louisiana Pacific Tennis Center. On Sunday, the Cougars opened Pac-12 Conference play with a 4-3 win at No. 21 Oregon. The Cougars opened the match by capturing the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and 3. It marked the 15th time in 17 matches this season WSU entered singles with the lead. In singles play the Pilots started fast, taking a 2-1 lead following victories at No. 2 and 3 singles. WSU freshman Michaela Bayerlova evened the match at 2-2 with a come-from-behind victory at No. 1, her 21st victory this season. The remaining three matches took care of business as No. 6 Melisa Ates posted a straight-set victory while Barbora Michalkova clinched the team win with a 7-5, 6-4 win at No. 4. Junior Aneta Miksovska closed out the day with a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 5. The Cougars are next in action Friday, March 23, when they travel to Los Angeles to face No. 47 USC.
 
Coach Hart on the Match:
"A ton of credit to Portland, they are a very well coached team and competed extremely well.  You learn the most about teams when they face adversity. We had our backs against the wall today and had to find a way to win. What I love about our team is we have done a good job of finding points throughout the line-up with everyone sharing turns of stepping up when needed.  We will enjoy the win today, take a few days off and then start preparing for USC and UCLA next weekend."

Moments of the Match:

#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/j5DvVJ42NB

— WSU COUGAR TENNIS (@WSUCOUGARTENNIS) March 13, 2018

Bara (#4) wins her match and clinches the 4-2 team victory for the COUGS. Aneta (#5) still on, up 6-3 5-0 in her match, trying to make it 5-2. #GoCougs #GCT pic.twitter.com/be6zYai5Jw

— WSU COUGAR TENNIS (@WSUCOUGARTENNIS) March 12, 2018

Melisa (#6) puts the COUGS up 3-2 in the match. Bara (#4) and Aneta (#5) still on to claim the 4th and deciding point. #GoCougs #GCT pic.twitter.com/SQbbFsSpKv

— WSU COUGAR TENNIS (@WSUCOUGARTENNIS) March 12, 2018

Things You Need to Know:

• WSU improved to 14-0 all-time against Portland
• WSU's current nine-match winning streak is its longest since opening the 2016 season with 12 straight.
• WSU captured the doubles point for the 15th time in 17 dual matches
• Freshman Michaela Bayerlova improved to 21-1 in singles this season
• Sophomore Melisa Ates improved to 21-5 on the season and is currently riding a seven-match win streak
• Senior Barbora Michalkova clinched the team victory at No. 4, her third match-clinching win this season
• Junior Aneta Miksovska improved her singles record to 22-5 this season.
• WSU returns to Pac-12 conference play March 23 when it visits No. 47 USC in Los Angeles.

 
WASHINGTON STATE TENNIS
No. 50 Washington State 5 def. Portland 2
March 12, 2018
Portland, Ore.
 
DOUBLES

1. Barbora Michalkova/Melisa Ates (WSU) vs. Jelena Lukic/Anna Oberg (Port.) 5-5 DNF
2. Guzal Yusupova/Tiffany Mylonas (WSU) def. Raphaelle Leblanc/Lourdes Ramalle (Port.) 6-0
3. Michaela Bayerlova/Aneta Miksovska (WSU) def. Radina Dimitrova/Emily Soares (Port.) 6-4

Order of Finish: 2,3
 
SINGLES

1. No. 49 Michaela Bayerlova (WSU) def. Jelena Lukic (Port.) 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-1
2. Radina Dimitrova (Port.) def. Guzal Yusupova (WSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
3. Lourdes Ramalle (Port.) def. Tiffany Mylonas (WSU) 7-6 (4), 6-3
4. Barbora Michalkova (WSU) def. Raphaella Leblanc (Port.) 7-5, 6-4
5. Aneta Miksovska (WSU) def. Emily Soares (Port.) 6-3, 6-1
6. Melisa Ates (WSU) def. Nina Nikitovic (Port.) 6-4, 6-0

Order of Finish: 3,2,1,6,4,5