Upcoming Event: Women's Tennis at Santa Barbara on January 18, 2026 at Noon (MT)
Noon (MT)
Women's Tennis
at Santa Barbara
The University of Utah Athletics
Women's Tennis Prepares for Idaho State Feb. 5
6/21/1999 12:00 AM | Women's Tennis
February 1, 1999
This Week:
The University of Utah women's tennis team (0-2) hopes to get on the winning track this weekend, as the Utes face Idaho State (0-0) Friday, Feb. 5 at 5:00 p.m. at the Eccles Tennis Center. Colorado State was listed to play the Utes on Saturday, Feb. 6, however, the match has been rescheduled for March 21 in Salt Lake City at 5:00 p.m.
About the Utes:
Utah returns three letterwinners to its lineup this year. Senior Molly Sanderson, junior Megan Payne and sophomore Heidi Thomas bring valuable experience and leadership to a young Ute squad. Four freshmen step into the Utes' lineup hoping to produce right away: Irini Kotoglou, Linn Ronnberg, Hillaree Hawkins, and Brooke Wilkinson.
Previously:
The Ute netters dropped their two-match season opening homestand to No. 42 Northwestern and #1 Florida, 7-2 and 8-1 respectively, but Utah gained valuable big match experience. Megan Payne had close to, if not the best, two matches in Utah history for an individual in singles competition. Along with wins of nationally ranked Katherine Nasser of Northwestern (No. 35) and MC White of Florida (1997 runner-up and #39 at the end of 1998), she combined with Irini Kotoglou at No. 2 doubles to defeat Northwestern's Colleen Cheng and Lia Jackson, enroute to being a part of all three Ute wins on the weekend. Senior Molly Sanderson, despite dropping her match at No. 6 singles to Erin Boisclair of Florida, played a solid match, making the Gator earn a back-and-forth battle.
Player Files
Ute Inflicts Payne on Opponents:
Junior Megan Payne followed up the opening University of Utah Invitational championship by capping off last weekend with two wins over ranked opponents, including a win over the #1 team in the nation, the University of Florida. On Friday, Jan. 29, Payne defeated Katherine Nasser of Northwestern, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3. Nasser is currently ranked No. 35. On the ensuing day, Payne continued her assault on nationally ranked opponents by crushing Florida's MC White, the 1997 NCAA runner-up and 1998 39th ranked player, 7-6, 6-3.
Megan Payne
Singles Record: overall (6-0), dual (2-0) Doubles Record: overall (2-2), dual (1-1) Fall Record: singles (3-2), doubles (7-2)Linn Ronnberg
Singles Record: overall (3-3), dual (0-2) Doubles Record: overall (4-2), dual (0-2) Fall Record: singles (3-3), doubles (7-2)Irini Kotoglou
Singles Record: overall (1-3), dual (0-2) Doubles Record: overall (1-1), dual (1-1) Fall Record: singles (1-4), doubles (3-2)Hillaree Hawkins
Singles Record: overall (3-3), dual (0-2) Doubles Record: overall (4-2), dual (0-2) Fall Record: did not play
Molly Sanderson
Singles Record: overall (1-3), dual (0-2) Doubles Record: overall (1-3), dual (0-2) Fall Record: singles (3-3), doubles (3-2)Heidi Thomas
Singles Record: overall (0-2), dual (0-2) Doubles Record: overall (0-0), dual (0-0) Fall Record: singles (4-4), doubles (0-0)Brooke Wilkinson
Singles Record: overall (0-1), dual (0-1) Doubles Record: overall (0-2), dual (0-2) Fall Record: did not playTsumas Talks:
"Idaho State is a much improved squad from last season. Their top three players are strong and they have a couple freshmen who did well at the ITA Rolex tournament in the fall. I anticipate that we are going to have to work hard and make some adjustments in order to get our first win."
Looking Ahead:
Utah will play host to the Kansas State Wildcats, Feb. 14 at 1:00 p.m. at the Eccles Tennis Center.
Utah Women's Tennis 25-26 Pronunciations
Thursday, September 11
Role models. Trailblazers. Legends. Celebrating our #AAPI student-athletes this month and always.
Monday, May 20
Recap: Utah women's tennis defends home court with victory over Oregon
Tuesday, May 14
A Chat with Anastasia and Mat
Wednesday, June 29