Netters compete at Utah Invitational

SALT LAKE CITY – Freshman tennis player John Pearce advanced to the singles semifinals and senior Spencer Smith and sophomore Francis Sargeant also advanced to the semifinals in doubles play in the Utah Intercollegiate Tournament this weekend.

Pearce started on a roll by topping Zeno Kastelic from Utah State, 6-2, 6-0, and then beat Matt Thatcher, also from Utah State, 6-0, 6-1. Pearce fell in the semifinals in three sets to Utah’s Dmytro Manedov 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Smith and Sargaent started off strong too. The duo defeated Utah State’s Curran Wearmouth and Kastelic in straight sets, 8-0. Their next victory came against BYU teammates Pearce and Keaton Cullimore, 8-4. Smith and Sargaent eventually lost to Utah’s Devin Lane and Slim Hamza in the semifinals, 8-4.

The players competed as individuals and did not officially represent BYU at the tournament.

BYU will prepare for the Region VII Championship next week.