Cougars win BYU Invitational doubles title

PROVO, Utah – Aubrey Paul and Desiree Train took the BYU Invitational doubles title Friday to give the BYU women’s tennis team the victory for the second straight year.

The final day of the BYU Invitational will showcase an all-Cougar singles final between senior Morgan Price and freshman Morgan Anderson, securing the singles title for the Cougars for the fifth year in a row. 

“I was really proud of Aubrey and Desiree,” said BYU tennis coach Lauren Jones-Spencer. “They really stepped up and played well. They took control and hit the ball well. I think it’s going to be a really good year for doubles.”

Junior Paul and sophomore Tran challenged Utah State’s Kristina Voytsekhovich and Jaci West in the doubles final. Paul and Tran took the lead early, 5-3. Although Voytsekhovich and West stayed with the Cougar duo, they were unable to overcome the pair. Paul and Tran were named champions after a 8-5 finish.

In their quarterfinal, Paul and Tran faced Price and Anderson. Through consistent play, Paul and Tran were able to defeat their teammates, 8-2.

In singles, the Cougars dominated, creating an all-BYU semifinals Friday.

“I was really proud of how the girls played today,” Jones-Spencer said. “They all fought hard against each other. They are all competitive with each other and I think that’s great.”

Price faced Tran in the semifinals before advancing to the final with a 6-2, 7-5 victory.

Price reached the semifinals after battling McKenzie Davis of Utah State to three sets. Price took the first set 6-2 before losing a close tiebreaker in the second. Price worked her way back on top, taking the third and final set, 6-2. Tran only dropped one game to Voytsekhovich in her quarterfinal match.

Anderson fought a three-set battle with freshman Meghan Sheehan-Dizon in the semifinals before edging out her teammate, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

Like Price, Anderson faced a Utah State opponent in the quarterfinal. Anderson dropped three games in the first set before shutting out West in the second to advance, 6-3, 6-0. Sheehan-Dizon previously defeated Weber State’s Ashley Tanner to secure her spot in the semifinals.

Price and Anderson will face each other Saturday at 10 a.m. for the BYU Invitational singles title. 

Paul will compete against Brittiny Moore of Weber State in the semifinals of Bracket B Saturday at 10 a.m. Utah State’s Davis and Brianna Harris will compete in the doubles final of Bracket B against Thais Kurer and Ashley Tanner of Weber State  at 10 a.m. also. The Bracket B singles final will take place at noon. 

Matches are set to take place at the BYU Outdoor Tennis Courts located south of the soccer field. The matches will be moved to the BYU Indoor Tennis Courts if the weather does not permit outside play. Admission is free and matches are open to the public. Spectators may park in any of the “Y Lot” parking lots.

The collegiate athletes participate as individuals in this tournament while representing their schools.

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