SAN DIEGO – With a 4-1 win over No. 7 seed San Francisco on Wednesday, the No. 6 seeded BYU women’s tennis team advanced to the second round of the West Coast Conference Tennis Championships. 

“The girls came out and played well today in the first round,” BYU coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. “We’re looking forward to carrying our momentum into tomorrow.”

The Cougars (8-14) started the match strong, grabbing the doubles point over the Dons (6-13). The No. 1 doubles duo of senior Megan Price and freshman Meghan Sheehan-Dizon posted a quick 8-1 win before freshman Morgan Anderson and sophomore Desiree Tran defeated their Court 2 opponent, 8-4. Junior Aubrey Paul and freshman Lisa Waldron completed the doubles sweep, taking an 8-5 decision at No. 3 doubles.

The Cougars carried their momentum into singles with first set wins on five of the six courts. Paul extended BYU’s lead to 2-0 after a straight set victory on Court 2 (6-4, 6-1) before Alana McMahon defeated Waldron on Court 6 to earn San Francisco its lone win of the match.

Playing at the No. 3 singles position, Sheehan-Dizon answered for the Cougars, picking up a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Melinda Akerbrant. After battling through three sets on Court 4, team captain Price pulled through to secure BYU’s first round win.

The final two matches were not finished due to the Cougars’ insurmountable 4-1 lead.

BYU advances to the second round where it faces No. 3 seed San Diego Thursday at 12:30 p.m. PDT. The Toreros (10-9) came away with a 5-2 win over the Cougars earlier this season.

The winner of the Tennis Championships will be crowned Saturday and will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Follow tournament updates at WCC Tennis Tournament Central.

Women's First Round

#6 BYU def. #7 San Francisco, 4-1

Doubles
1. Megan Price/Meghan Sheehan-Dizon (BYU) def. Julia Wartenburger/Blair Reed (USF) 8-1
2. Morgan Anderson/Desiree Tran (BYU) def. Yurie Hashiguchi/Milica Hadzi-Tanovic (USF) 8-4
3. Aubrey Paul/Lisa Waldron (BYU) def. Alana McMahon/Melinda Akerbrant (USF) 8-5

Singles
1. Desiree Tran (BYU) leads Julia Wartenburger (USF) DNF
2. Morgan Anderson (BYU) vs. Marina Nikolic (USF) DNF
3. Meghan Sheehan-Dizon (BYU) def. Melinda Akerbrant (USF) 6-3, 6-2
4. Megan Price (BYU) def. Milica Hadzi-Tanovic (USF) 6-2, 1-6, 6-1
5. Aubrey Paul (BYU) def. Yurie Hashiguchi (USF) 6-4, 6-1
6. Alana McMahon (USF) def. Lisa Waldron (BYU) 6-2, 6-1

PROVO, Utah – Playing in its first year in the West Coast Conference, the BYU women’s tennis team earned the No. 6 seed in the WCC Tennis Championships April 25-28 in San Diego.

For the fourth year in a row, the championships will be hosted at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, Calif. beginning on Wednesday, April 25, and continuing through the championships on Saturday, April 28.

The No. 6-seeded Cougars open tournament play against No. 7 San Francisco on Wednesday, April 25 at 12:30 p.m. PDT. The Dons enter the tournament 6-12 overall and 2-6 in conference play. BYU edged out San Francisco earlier this season at home, 4-3.

The Cougars accumulated a 7-14 overall record and are 3-5 in conference. Freshman Meghan Sheehan-Dizon leads BYU with a team-best 21-13 overall record. Playing at No. 1 doubles, Sheehan-Dizon and senior Megan Price are 12-7.

Pepperdine went undefeated in the first ever round robin schedule in conference history, earning the Waves the top seed. Saint Mary’s secured the second seed with its only conference loss coming to the top-seeding Waves. The two teams will make their first appearances at the tournament in Friday’s semifinal rounds. San Diego garnered the third set seed and a bye to open on Thursday afternoon.

The winner of Wednesday’s match will advance to play No. 3 San Diego Thursday at 12:30 p.m. PDT. The winner of the Tennis Championships will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. 

Follow tournament updates at WCC Tennis Tournament Central.