Late Comeback Falls Short at No. 21 USC

LOS ANGELES (April 1, 2022) – Washington State's comeback at No. 21 USC fell just short as the Trojans held on for a 4-3 victory over Washington State Friday afternoon at the Marks Tennis Stadium.
 
With the loss, WSU falls to 6-11 on the season, 1-5 in Pac-12 play. USC improves to 11-10, 4-3.
 
Trailing 3-2, the Cougars looked primed for the upset as senior Michaela Bayerlova was leading 4-0 in the third set on Court 1 and senior Yang Lee was up 4-1 in the third on Court 6. USC showed why they are so highly regarded as Sloane Morra on Court 6 captured the final five games to clinch the match for the Trojans.
 
On Court 1, Bayerlova, ranked No. 91 nationally, was pushed to a tiebreaker in the third set but held on against No. 41 Salma Ewing, winning 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5), for WSU's final point of the match. With her victory, Bayerlova improved to 14-1 on the season.
 
The day began with doubles, where the Cougars came out strong, winning the first two matches to clinch the opening point. WSU's No. 1 duo of Bayerlova and Maxine Murphy had little trouble, posting a 6-2 win on Court 1 over Eryn Cayetano and Grace Piper. At No. 2 Savanna Ly-Nguyen and Lee led throughout and closed out the win on their third match point, defeating Naomi Cheong and Snow Han, 6-4. On Court 3, the match was stopped with WSU's Hania Abouelsaad and Fifa Kumhom serving down 4-5 to USC's Ewing and Morra.
 
In singles play, the Trojans jumped out fast, taking wins at No. 2 and No. 5 to take a 2-1 lead. At No. 2, Cayetano, ranked No. 6, defeated Ly-Nguyen, 6-1, 6-3, ending the Cougar senior's four-match winning streak. At No. 5, Danielle Willson posted a 6-3, 6-3 win over Cougar freshman Elyse Tse.
 
The lead grew to 3-1 for USC following Piper's 6-4, 6-4 win over Abouelsaad at No. 4. The Cougars cut that lead in half as Murphy recorded the biggest win of her freshman season, defeating No. 77 Han, 7-6 (3), 7-5.
 
The Cougars conclude their southern California swing when they face No. 15 UCLA Saturday at Noon.
 
WASHINGTON STATE TENNIS
No. 21 USC 4 def. Washington State 3
April 1, 2022
Marks Tennis Stadium
Los Angeles, Calif.
 
DOUBLES
No. 1 Michaela Bayerlova/Maxine Murphy (WSU) def. Eryn Cayetano/Grace Piper (USC) 6-2
No. 2 Savanna Ly-Nguyen/Yang Lee (WSU) def. Naomi Cheong/Snow Han (USC) 6-4
No. 3 Fifa Kumhom/Hania Abouelsaad (WSU) vs. Salma Ewing/Sloane Morra (USC) 4-5 DNF
Order of Finish: 1,2
 
SINGLES
No. 1 #91 Michaela Bayerlova (WSU) def. #41 Salma Ewing (USC) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5)
No. 2 #6 Eryn Cayetano (USC) def. Savanna Ly-Nguyen (WSU) 6-1, 6-3
No. 3 Maxine Murphy (WSU) def. #77 Snow Han 7-6 (3), 7-5
No. 4 Grace Piper (USC) def. Hania Abouelsaad (WSU) 6-4, 6-4
No. 5 Danielle Williamson (USC) def. Elyse Tse (WSU) 6-3, 6-3
No. 6 Sloane Morra (USC) def. Yang Lee (WSU) 7-6, 4-6, 6-4
Order of Finish: 2,5,4,3,6,1