Jan. 28, 2006

DENVER - The 52nd-ranked University of Denver women's tennis team posted a split in its opening weekend at home Saturday, falling 4-3 to No. 21 BYU following a 4-3 win against No. 37 Alabama Friday. The Pioneers fall to 1-2 on the season, while the Cougars remain undefeated at 5-0.

"Our team had another strong showing today," said head coach Dana Young. "I'm really excited with how the team continues to perform at a high level. Our freshman are stepping up and raising their game with each match and our attitude and enthusiasm as a team is right where it needs to be."

For the first time this season, the Pioneers dropped the doubles point as BYU landed a sweep, capturing a victory in all three positions.

In singles, Lorinda Boothman (Naples, Fla.) nabbed DU's first victory in the No. 6 position with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Breanna Williamson. At No. 5 singles, Kyla Iwinski (Marietta, Ga.) followed with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 win against Dolly Chang. Annette Aksdal (Oslo, Norway) gave Denver's its third point of the match with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 upset over No. 95 Lauren Jones. Aksdal's win was the first for her at No. 2 singles.

In other singles results, Suzana Maksovic (Helsingborg, Sweden) fell 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 to No. 33 Olga Boulytcheva, Marisa Mechem (Fredricksburg, Texas) lost 6-2, 6-1 at the hands of Sofia Holden and Rachel Sackmaster (Alpharetta Ga.) was defeated 6-0, 6-4 by Anastasia Sourkova. The Pioneers continue their home stretch, hosting Big Ten duo No. 44 Iowa Feb. 3 at noon, followed by Minnesota Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.

#21 Brigham Young 4, #52 Denver 3
1/28/2006 at Denver, Colo.

Singles competition
1. #33 Olga Boulytcheva (BYU) def. Suzana Maksovic (DEN-W) 6-3, 7-5, 6-0
2. Annette Aksdal (DEN-W) def. #95 Lauren Jones (BYU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
3. Anastasia Sourkova (BYU) def. Rachel Sackmaster (DEN-W) 6-0, 6-4
4. Sofia Holden (BYU) def. Marisa Mechem (DEN-W) 6-2, 6-1
5. Kyla Iwinski (DEN-W) def. Dolly Chang (BYU) 7-6 (7-2), 6-3
6. Lorinda Boothman (DEN-W) def. Breanna Williamson (BYU) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Lauren Jones/Dolly Chang (BYU) def. Suzana Maksovic/Kaja Smole (DEN-W) 8-5
2. Jennifer Miccoli/Anastasia Sourkova (BYU) def. Rachel Sackmaster/Annette Aksdal (DEN-W) 8-6
3. Sofia Holden/Olga Boulytcheva (BYU) def. Marisa Mechem/Lorinda Boothman (DEN-W) 8-3

Match Notes
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,3,4,5,2,1)
Official: Joyce Grant T-4:00