(Salt Lake City - Jan. 18, 2025) - Utah Tech women's tennis concluded its season-opening road trip by stumbling at Utah 5-0 on Saturday morning inside the George S. Eccles Tennis Center.

"It was a great weekend," UT head coach Eric Pelton said. "They were competitive with some of the best teams in the nation. Exciting start to the season. Lots of great things to come."

In doubles play, all three duos were competitive but the Trailblazers came up short in each match, 6-4.

"The girls played exceptionally well in doubles," Pelton said. "All three doubles came down to the difference of two points. It was exciting to watch." 

Sophomore Mariana Zurita fought well in the first set in the number two singles spot, falling 6-4, 6-0.

Sophomore Olivia Bustos' and freshman Maya Inouye's matches were neck-and-neck before both were left unfinished after Utah secured its win. Bustos was trailing 6-3, 3-1 while Inouye was behind at 6-1, 3-2.

"They all had some opportunities in singles but weren't able to close out the big points," Pelton said. "They stayed positive and really worked hard."

The Trailblazers return to action next week as they visit Utah State on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. inside the Sports Academy & Racquet Club in Logan, Utah.

Results
Utah 5, Utah Tech 0
Jan. 18, 2025, at George S. Eccles Tennis Center (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Doubles Competition
1. Sara Akid/Emma Valletta (UTAH) def. Mariana Zurita/Maya Inouye (UT) 6-4
2. Emma Kamper/Dylan Lolofie (UTAH) def. Ana Gutierrez Sampere/Olivia Bustos (UT)  6-4
3. Kaila Barksdale/Hayley Roberts (UTAH) def. Laura Coulome/Nutsa Tsintsadze (UT) 6-4.

Singles Competition
1. Emma Kamper (UTAH) def. Ana Gutierrez Sampere (UT) 6-1, 6-1
2. Sara Akid (UTAH) def. Mariana Zurita (UT) 6-4, 6-0
3. Kaila Barksdale (UTAH) def. Nutsa Tsintsadze (UT) 6-1, 6-0
4. Emma Valletta (UTAH) vs. Olivia Bustos (UT) 6-3, 3-1; match was unfinished
5. Dylan Lolofie (UTAH) vs. Maya Inouye (UT) 6-1, 3-2; match was unfinished
6. Hayley Roberts (UTAH) def. Laura Coulome (UT) 6-0, 6-1

Match Notes:
Utah Tech (0-3, 0-0 WAC)
Utah (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)