The Portland State women’s tennis team earned its first Big Sky Conference victory of the season on March 16, defeating Montana 4-3 at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center in Beaverton, Oregon.
This win marks the first conference triumph for head coach Mike Mucci in his debut season and improves Portland State’s record to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The result also continues a strong run for the Vikings against Montana, as they have now won seven of their last eight meetings with the Grizzlies.
Portland State started strong by sweeping all three doubles matches to secure the opening point. Hana Abdelhamid and Marta Giglio remained undefeated this season with a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles. Kasumi Hirayama and Nene Uemura rebounded from a previous loss to clinch the doubles point at No. 2 with a 6-4 victory, while Scarlett Perkins and Anjola Ige completed the sweep at No. 3.
Montana responded in singles play, taking straight-set wins at lines one and six to briefly lead the match. Giglio then tied it up for Portland State by extending her singles winning streak to eight matches with a two-set victory at No. 2 singles. Uemura put Portland State back ahead with a win at No. 3 singles before Hirayama secured the overall team victory by rallying for a three-set comeback at No. 4 singles.
The Vikings will continue their Big Sky schedule on the road next weekend, facing Northern Arizona on Sunday, March 22.
