LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Washington State tennis made history by knocking off No. 41 USC for the first time in program history, defeating the Trojans 4-1 Friday afternoon at Marks Stadium. The Cougars, ranked No. 39 nationally, never trailed in the match as they earned their first victory in 25 meetings during the series. The Cougars captured the opening doubles point to start the match, the 16th time in 18 matches WSU entered singles with the lead this season. Junior Aneta Miksovska extended the lead with a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Alexa Corcoleotes at No. 5 singles. Despite losing the next singles point at No. 3, the Cougars stretched their lead to 3-1 with Michaela Bayerlova's defeat of No. 57 Gabby Smith. Melisa Ates clinched the victory at No. 6 singles with a three-set win, her second match-clinching win of the season. The remaining two matches in play were stopped with the team victory secure. With this win the Cougars improve to 17-1 for the season and 2-0 in Pac-12 play. The Cougars continue play in Los Angeles against No. 13 UCLA at noon Saturday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
 
 
Coach Hart on the USC Match:
"Our players did a great job coming out strong and executing from the first point. We have been working hard on our doubles and it is rewarding to see the work pay off.  It is really special to watch the enormous amount of Cougar Pride our team is playing with. We will enjoy the win today and get ready to battle a very good UCLA team tomorrow - Go Cougs!!!"
 
 Moments of the Match:
 

Michaela and Aneta (3) win 6-3 to clinch doubles point. #GoCougs #GCT pic.twitter.com/hSaWzhCwfk

— WSU COUGAR TENNIS (@WSUCOUGARTENNIS) March 23, 2018

Aneta (5) wins 6-4, 6-1. #GoCougs #GCT pic.twitter.com/eWpBll411k

— WSU COUGAR TENNIS (@WSUCOUGARTENNIS) March 23, 2018

Melisa (6) clinches the 4-1 team victory over USC. #GoCougs #GCT pic.twitter.com/llzI1jiar1

— WSU COUGAR TENNIS (@WSUCOUGARTENNIS) March 23, 2018

COUGS WIN!!! ???????? COUGS beat USC 4-1 for the first time in school history!!! #GoCougs #GCT #CougarTennis #CougarTennisRocks #WE>me pic.twitter.com/COvmC1pyHA

— WSU COUGAR TENNIS (@WSUCOUGARTENNIS) March 24, 2018

Things You Need to Know:

• With the win the Cougars improved to 17-1, 2-0 in Pac-12 play.
• WSU defeated USC for the first time in series history, a span of 25 matches.
• WSU is now 2-0 against nationally-ranked team, also defeated No. 21 Oregon.
• Sophomore Melisa Ates, clinched the match at No. 6, her second match-clinching win of the season as she improved to 22-5 on the season.
• The win is the first for WSU against a California Pac-12 school since the Cougars defeated No. 20 California, 5-2, in 2002.
• WSU won the doubles point for the 16th time in 18 dual matches this season.
• Freshman Michaela Bayerlova improved to 22-1 in singles play this season with a straight-set win over No. 57 Gabby Smith. Bayerlova is now 4-0 against nationally-ranked players.
• Junior Aneta Miksovska won her fourth-straight match, improving to 23-5 in singles play this season.
• WSU next faces No. 13 UCLA Saturday at Noon at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

 
 
WASHINGTON STATE TENNIS
No. 39 Washington State 4 def. No. 41 USC 1
March 23, 2018
Marks Tennis Center
Los Angeles, Calif.
 
DOUBLES

1. Barbora Michalkova/Melisa Ates (WSU) vs. No. 43 Rianna Valdes/Angela Kilukov (USC) 5-4 DNF
2. Guzal Yusupova/Tiffany Mylonas (WSU) def. Gabby Smith/Sydney Van Alphen (USC) 6-2
3. Michaela Bayerlova/Aneta Miksovska (WSU) def. Madison Westby/Constance Branstine (USC) 6-3

Order of Finish: 2,3
 
SINGLES

1. No. 43 Michaela Bayerlova (WSU) def. No. 57 Gabby Smith (USC) 6-3, 6-3
2. Guzal Yusupova (WSU) vs. Angela Kulikov (USC) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0 DNF
3. Madison Westby (USC) def. Tiffany Mylonas (WSU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Barbora Michalkova (WSU) vs. Constance Branstine (USC) 7-5, 3-6, 4-5 DNF
5. Aneta Miksovska (WSU) def. Alexa Corcoleotes (USC) 6-4, 6-1
6. Melisa Ates (WSU) def.  Sydney Van Alphen (USC) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

Order of Finish: 5, 3, 1, 6