Jones Clinches Team Win, Play Lobos In Semis of MWC Champs

Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 26, 2007) -- The no. 28 ranked and top seed BYU women's tennis team advanced to the semifinals of the 2007 MWC Women's Tennis Championships with a 4-0 win over CSU, Thursday.

BYU had a 1-0 advantage heading into singles action after getting two of the three doubles matches. The Cougars won at no. 2 and no. 3 doubles for the 1-0 edge.

In the singles competition, the team extended its lead to 3-0 with victories from Sofia Holden at no. 5 singles. She defeated Anette Pohjalainen in straight sets 6-0, 6-2. Next was Chie Hayasaka at no. 4 singles who picked up a straight sets victory over CSU's Laura Neal.

Lauren Jones clinched the win for the Cougars playing at the no. 2 singles spot. She beat CSU's Lauren Strasburger also in straights sets 6-1, 6-1 to give the top seeded team the 4-0 victory. The remaining matches were not finished.

"We started the match playing really well in doubles to get the 1-0 lead," said MWC Coach of the Year and BYU head coach Craig Manning. "I thought everyone played well today. Hopefully tomorrow we can play a little better, that's what we've been working on, getting better in each match."

BYU advances to Friday's semifinals where they will meet New Mexico who defeated San Diego State in other quarterfinal action. The match is set to begin at 2 p.m., from the Air Force Academy campus. During the regular season, the Cougars beat the Lobos 6-1.

Match Results:

BYU-4; CSU-0

Doubles:

1. Miccoli/Surkova, BYU; Kirchem/Tyler, CSU -- 6-5 (DNF)

2. Jones/Chang, BYU, def. Pohjalainen/Strasburger, CSU -- 8-2

3. Doerr/Holden, BYU def. Seltsam/Satherlie, CSU 8-2

BYU: 1-0 after doubles competition

Singles:

1. Anastasia Surkova, BYU; Emily Kirchem, CSU -- 6-3, 4-1 (DNF)

2. Lauren Jones, BYU, def. Lauren Strasburger, CSU -- 6-1, 6-1 *

3. Kristina Doerr, BYU; Hilary Tyler, CSU -- 4-6, 1-3 (DNF)

4. Chie Hayasaka, BYU, def. Laura Neal, CSU -- 6-1, 6-4

5. Sofia Holden, BYU, def. Anette Pohjalainen, CSU 6-0, 6-2

6. Dolly Chang, BYU; Greer Satherlie, CSU 6-7 (4) , (DNF)

* Clinched the 4-0 win for BYU.