GRAND FORKS, N.D.-- The North Dakota women's tennis team wrapped up its 2017-18 season with a thrilling 4-3 win over visiting Idaho State Friday morning at Choice Health and Fitness. UND trailed 3-2 after the first four singles matches were complete, needing wins in each of the final two singles spots to secure the victory.
North Dakota (7-12 overall) took the doubles point to have the advantage heading into singles play. The top two UND groupings each scored 6-3 wins to set the tone. Carmen Palumbo/Elly Hartnett and Preethi Kasilingam/Isa Sullivan were victorious for a 1-0 UND lead.
In singles, Idaho State (8-13) claimed wins at Nos. 2, 3 and 6 to put the pressure on. Palumbo scored a 6-3, 6-3 win at the top spot to leave the match in the hands of Zahra Finnigan (#4) and Jaylee Yasunaga (#5).
Each had taken the first sets of their respective matches but were locked into tight duels in the second set. Both wins came within seconds of each other as Yasunaga finished off Megan Poe, 6-4, 6-4 then Finnigan outlasted Melissa Coburn 6-4, 7-6 (6-5) to propel the Fighting Hawks to the win.
The win puts UND's final showing at 7-12 overall and 4-7 in Big Sky Conference play. ISU drops to 8-12, 5-5 in league play but has secured one of the final spots in the upcoming conference tournament.
North Dakota 4, Idaho State 3
Apr 20, 2018 at Grand Forks, N.D. (Choice Health & Fitness)
| Singles competition |
| 1. Palumbo, Carmen (UND) def. Cvetkovic, Hristina (ISU) 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2. Botes, Huibre-Mare (ISU) def. Hartnett, Elly (UND) 7-5, 6-3 |
| 3. Botes, Louise-Mare (ISU) def. Kasilingam, Preethi (UND) 6-0, 6-4 |
| 4. Finnigan, Zahra (UND) def. Coburn, Melissa (ISU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) |
| 5. Yasunaga, Jaylee (UND) def. Poe, Megan (ISU) 6-4, 6-4 |
| 6. Walker, Angela (ISU) def. Revenig, Alex (UND) 6-3, 6-4 |
| Doubles competition |
| 1. Palumbo, Carmen/Hartnett, Elly (UND) def. Cvetkovic, Hristina/Poe, Megan (ISU) 6-3 |
| 2. Kasilingam, Preethi/Sullivan, Isa (UND) def. Botes, Huibre-Mare/Botes, Louise-Mare (ISU) 6-3 |
| 3. Fenske, Madison/Coburn, Melissa (ISU) def. Lobanova, Masha/Finnigan, Zahra (UND) 6-4 |
| Match Notes |
| Idaho State 8-12 |
| North Dakota 7-12 |
