DENVER, Colo. – The Montana State Billings women's tennis team battled back after a 5-1 first round loss to Metro State to earn a berth in the 2011 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship consolation final with a 5-3 win over Colorado State-Pueblo Friday afternoon at the Gates Tennis Center.

“The women came back and fought hard to beat CSUP today and will play a tough Colorado Christian team in the consolation final tomorrow,” MSUB first year head coach Lew Kosich said.

In the first match, the Yellowjackets (8-12 overall, 5-12 against four year schools) lost 5-1 to third-seeded and host Metro State, falling into the consolation bracket.  The Jackets' No. 1 doubles duo of sophomore Kim Karlsson and senior Rikki Peach scored the lone point for the Jackets as they defeated Alicia Holm and Nikki Amos, 8-4. 

At No. 2, the Jackets almost came away with the win as the match went the distance.  Roadrunner tandem of Marianne Evangelista and Orzalla Nabiyar pulled out a 9-8 win over junior Johnna Beatty and graduate Maria Peterson.  Metro won at No. 3 for a 2-1 lead heading into singles.

Beatty lost in straight sets at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-3, to Nicole Hermann and junior Libby Rutz lost at No. 5 to Nadia Khamis, 6-2, 6-3, as Metro State clinched the match.  The Jackets were leading in two of the final three matches that didn't finish.

The Yellowjackets then had a quick turnaround as they faced seventh-seeded Colorado State-Pueblo at 2 p.m. in the consolation bracket. 

In that match, the Jackets fell behind early losing two of the three doubles matches.  Yellowjacket duo of Beatty and Peterson won at No. 2, 8-1.  Both of the other two doubles matches were highly competitive as Karlsson and Peach lost at No. 1, 8-6 and Rutz and freshman Kayla Rochin lost at No. 3, 9-7.

Big wins by the Jackets at Nos. 2-4 helped MSUB regain the lead and Rochin won at No. 6 for the clincher.  Beatty battled staved off a comeback attempt by Kellie Manes at No. 3 as Beatty opened with a 6-2 win, but lost the second set 7-5 and won the third 6-3. 

The Jackets will face Colorado Christian for the third time this season in the consolation final tomorrow at 9 a.m.  CCU has bested the Jackets in both meeting this season.

Metro State 5, Montana State Billings 1

Singles competition

1. Alicia Holm (MSCD) vs. Kim Karlsson (MSUB) unfinished

2. Nicole Herrmann (MSCD) vs. Rikki Peach (MSUB) unfinished

3. Nikki Amos (MSCD) def. Johnna Beatty (MSUB) 6-3, 6-3

4. Marianne Evangelista (MSCD) def. Maria Peterson (MSUB) 6-3, 6-1

5. Nadia Khamis (MSCD) def. Libby Rutz (MSUB) 6-2, 6-3

6. Alexis Alvarez (MSCD) vs. Kayla Rochin (MSUB) unfinished

Doubles competition

1. Kim Karlsson/Rikki Peach (MSUB) def. Alicia Holm/Nikki Amos (MSCD) 8-4

2. Marianne Evangelista/Orzalla Nabiyar (MSCD) def. Johnna Beatty/Maria Peterson (MSUB) 9-8 (7-5)

3. Nadia Khamis/Sam Schall (MSCD) def. Libby Rutz/Kayla Rochin (MSUB) 8-0

Match Notes:

Montana State Billings 7-12

Metro State 10-8; Regional ranking #3

Montana State Billings 5, Colorado State-Pueblo 3

Singles competition

1. Forsyth (CSUP) def. Karlsson (MSUB) 6-1, 6-0

2. Peach (MSUB) def. Ortiz (CSUP) 6-4, 6-1

3. Beatty (MSUB) def. Pilot (CSUP) 6-2, 5-7, 6-3

4. Peterson (MSUB) def. Manes (CSUP) 7-6(3), 6-4

5. Rutz (MSUB) vs. Boughton (CSUP) unfinished

6. Rochin (MSUB) def. Frankmore (CSUP) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Forsyth/Ortiz (CSU) def. Karlsson/Peach (MSUB) 8-6

2. Beatty/Peterson (MSUB) def. Pilot/Boughton (CSUP) 8-1

3. Manes/Hart (CSUP) def. Rutz/Rochin (MSUB) 9-7