BOZEMAN, Mont. (April 3, 2026) – The doubles point made all the difference as the Northern Arizona women's tennis team fell 4-3 to Montana State on Friday afternoon at the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center.
The loss snaps a three-game win streak, moving the Lumberjacks to 5-6 on the season and 4-2 in Big Sky Conference matches.
Doubles action was neck-and-neck on all three courts.
Elen Jantacova and
Natalie Rainke pulled away from their opponents on court one for a 6-4 win first.
Patrycja Niewiadomska and
Andrea Noguera fell by the same score on court two, putting the doubles point in the hands of
Leontina Stojanovic and
Mia Wolter. The duo fought hard but fell in a 7-5 decision as Montana State grabbed the early 1-0 lead.
The Bobcats added another point on court two, with Noguera taking a loss in straight sets. Jantacova then got the Jacks on track with a 6-3, 6-3 win on court four, cutting the deficit in half.
Rainke then rallied one court three after dropping her first set for the 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win to tie up the match at two apiece. Niewiadomska fought in her third consecutive match to go three sets, pulling through in a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 decision to give NAU its first lead of the day at 3-2.
With their backs against the wall, the Cats were able to respond for two more wins on courts five and six to clinch the match, 4-3.
DOUBLES DRAWS
1
Elen Jantacova and
Natalie Rainke (NAU) def. Terezie Stverakova and Anna Wise (MSU) 6-4
2 Angel Bean and Nia Gelashvili (MSU) def.
Patrycja Niewiadomska and
Andrea Noguera (NAU) 6-4
3 Lola Bean and Kavya Khirwar (MSU) def.
Leontina Stojanovic and
Mia Wolter (NAU) 7-5
SINGLES DRAWS
1
Patrycja Niewiadomska (NAU) def. Anna Wise (MSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
2 Angel Bean (MSU) def.
Andrea Noguera (NAU) 6-1, 6-0
3
Natalie Rainke (NAU) def. Nia Gelashvili (MSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
4
Elen Jantacova (NAU) def. Terezie Stverakova (MSU) 6-3, 6-3
5 Lola Bean (MSU) def.
Leontina Stojanovic (NAU) 6-3, 6-4
6 Kavya Khirwar (MSU) def.
Mia Wolter (NAU) 6-1, 6-0
Order of finish
Singles 2,4,3,1,6,5 Doubles 1,2,3
NAU has a quick turnaround, facing the Montana Griz tomorrow, April 4th in Missoula. First serve is set for 1 p.m. MST and can be followed on live stats.
