Bobcat Doubles Dominating: Two Montana State Pairs Achieve National Ranking
History was made this week for the Montana State women’s tennis program, as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced the team has secured two nationally ranked doubles tandems, marking an unprecedented achievement. Sophomore Meg McCarty, a Bozeman native, is at the heart of both partnerships, showcasing her impressive doubles prowess.
A Tale of Two Doubles Teams: Achieving Milestone Success
McCarty teamed up with newcomer Jojo Bach, immediately forming a formidable duo. Together, they stormed through the fall season, compiling an unblemished 4-0 record. Their triumphant run culminated in capturing the doubles title at the Bedford Cup hosted by Air Force in mid-September. The pair faced a tough test in the finals, overcoming Denver’s Andrea Baltran and Louise Wikander in a hard-fought 8-6 battle.
This powerhouse pairing currently occupies the No. 75 spot in the national rankings, making them the highest-ranked doubles team in the Big Sky Conference. Their success exemplifies the high caliber of talent emerging from the Bobcat program.
McCarty’s doubles dominance didn’t stop there. At the Gonzaga Invite, she joined forces with Mia Ljubas. The duo, while navigating a different path, proved equally determined. They excelled in the back draw, ultimately emerging victorious with a commendable 4-1 overall mark.
In a nail-biting back draw final, McCarty and Ljubas edged out Gonzaga’s Norhan Hesham and Brooke Bittner with a close 7-5 victory.
This strong showing earned them a respectable No. 117 national ranking, solidifying Montana State’s impressive doubles presence on the national stage.
Looking Ahead: Optimism and Momentum Fueling the Bobcats
Head coach Suzie Woodburn expressed immense pride in her players’ accomplishments. “We’re coming off one of the best fall seasons in history,” she affirmed. “We’re excited to have the highest ranked doubles team in the Big Sky Conference. It is pretty cool that a Bozeman kid is part of both nationally ranked teams, as well, ”
Woodburn highlighted the teams’ unwavering spirit, stating, “Both doubles teams did an outstanding job competing no matter who they were facing. We had great wins at some tough tournaments. We look to continue our momentum as we open the season in January.”
With a stellar fall season behind them and national recognition in tow, the Bobcats are poised for a strong spring campaign. The team opens their season on the road, taking on Utah on January 17. Their first home match is slated for January 31 against Utah State, offering fans a chance to witness these talented doubles teams in action.
How does Coach [Coach’s Name] believe this achievement will impact the Montana State women’s tennis program?
## Bobcat Doubles Dominating: An Interview with Coach [Coach’s Name]
**(INT. MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY TENNIS FACILITY – DAY)**
Our cameras are rolling inside the Montana State University Tennis Facility. This week, the Bobcats made history with not one, but **TWO** nationally ranked doubles duos. Joining me now is Head Coach [Coach’s Name] to talk about this remarkable achievement. Coach, welcome!
**COACH:** Thanks for having me! We’re excited about the program’s direction and this is a real testament to the hard work these players are putting in.
**HOST:** Absolutely! Let’s start with sophomore Meg McCarty. She’s at the heart of both of these ranked pairs – quite an accomplishment!
**COACH:** Meg is a special player. She’s got a knack for doubles, a real strategic mind on the court, and fantastic chemistry with her partners.
**HOST:** Speaking of partners, her first team is with newcomer Jojo Bach. Tell us about their dynamic.
**COACH:** Jojo came in and immediately clicked with Meg. They’re unstoppable together. That 4-0 record, including the Bedford Cup title, speaks volumes. Fighting back to win that final 8-6 against Denver was a real nail-biter but showed their tenacity. [[1](https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/sports/bobcats/tennis/bozemans-meg-mccarty-part-of-two-nationally-ranked-doubles-teams-at-montana-state/article_371ed8ae-b365-11ef-85a1-8b4dca8fb2ed.html)]
**HOST:** The fact that BOTH Meg’s teams are nationally ranked is incredible. What does this mean for the Montana State women’s tennis program?
**COACH:** This is a huge step forward for us. It attracts attention, shows recruits that we’re serious about building a winning program, and inspires our current players. We’re excited for the future!
**HOST:** Thank you so much for joining us, Coach [Coach’s Name]. Congratulations again on this historic achievement!
