The Montana State Bobcats came in hoping to earn a victory against Sacramento State, but that was not so as the Hornets ended up as the victors, defeating the Bobcats 7-0.

With this victory, the Hornets snapped their four-game away losing streak, but extended its 55-game winning streak in Big Sky play and are 3-0 in the Big Sky Conference so far this season with 8-4 overall. The Hornets are ranked at No. 42 nationally. The Hornets won all six of their singles matches and only lost one of its three doubles matches.

Luba Schifris was the top performer of the day as she shut out her opponent Laura Villegas 6-0 6-0, improving her overall record to 8-4. She also won her doubles match with Clarisse Baca 8-2; they are now 1-1 as a pair.

Aileen Tsan earned her second victory of the season after defeating Missy Harris 6-2 6-1 and she also won her doubles match-up with Maria Meliuk 8-3. The pair improved its record to 7-2.

Meliuk dominated her opponent Stephanie Jasper throughout most of the match but her opponent put up a fight towards the end. It was not nearly enough though as Meliuk won the match-up 6-1 6-2 improving her overall record to 8-2.

Baca was in control of the match during the first set as she won 6-2, but her opponent Ali Griffin kept up with Baca keeping the match up close. After Baca was leading the second set 5-4, she put her opponent away and won the second set 6-4, sealing the victory for her.

Melissa Valenzuela and Milica Zivanovic lost their doubles match to Harris and Jasper 4-8 and are still winless as a pair this season.

Valenzuela, distraught after the loss, rebounded and won her singles match in thrilling fashion. She needed a tiebreaker to win her first set 7-6 and put her opponent McKenzie Hilmer away in the second set 6-4, earning her a satisfying victory.

Zivanovic won her first singles match of the season 6-3 6-3 after defeating Andrea De La Torre, making Zivanovic’s overall record 1-4.

Head coach Dima Hrynashka thought his team performed well against Montana State Sunday afternoon.

“It was great to earn this victory after our four-game losing streak,” Hrynashka said. “It gave us some much needed momentum back.”

Hrynashka stressed that the key to victory for future games is to have every player stay healthy.

“If we can stay healthy, then we’ll be fine.” Hrynashka said.

The Hornets’ next home game will be against the Northern Colorado Bears at 1 p.m. on March 16 at the Rio Del Oro Racquet Club.

Nick Hunte can be reached at [email protected]