Three Cougars Advance to Semifinals of Utah Invitational

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Three Cougars advanced to singles semifinals as the BYU women’s tennis team kicked off its first day of the Utah Invitational Friday in Salt Lake City.

The tournament runs Nov. 4 – 6 at the George S. Eccles Tennis Center at the University of Utah. The Cougars face opponents from Boise State, LSU, Wyoming, Idaho State and rival Utah.

In her first round matchup, freshman Morgan Anderson fell to Marlena Pietzuch of Boise State, 6-3, 6-2, in the singles draw-A. Anderson went on to compete in the consolation bracket but was unable to top LSU’s Kaitlin Burns, falling 6-1, 6-3.

Senior Megan Price ended her run in the singles draw-A after a 6-3, 6-2 loss to Wyoming’s Sasa Nemcova but will continue singles play after cruising past Idaho State’s Katharina Marsela, 6-0, 6-1. Price will challenge Sonia Klamcynska of Boise State Saturday.

In the singles-draw B, sophomore Desiree Train advanced to the semifinals after topping Boise State’s Kaitlyn Brown, 6-3, 6-0, and Rebecca Bodine of LSU, 6-3, 6-1, in the first and second rounds, respectively.

Tran will face instate rival Utah’s Sammie Watson in the semifinals Saturday.

Junior Aubrey Paul sailed past Zamira Vasquez of Idaho State without dropping a game. Paul earned herself a semifinals spot with a 7-5, 6-3 win over LSU’s Yvette Vlaar.

The second semifinal showdown will feature two Cougars as Paul takes on teammate freshman Meghan Sheehan-Dizon.

Sheehan-Dizon advanced after a 6-2, 6-4 win over Idaho State’s Marian Tangarife in the first round and a swift 6-1, 6-2 victory over BSU’s Morgan Basil in the second. 

In doubles, Paul and Tran were unable to top Marlena Pietzuch and Manuela Pietzuch, falling to the Boise State duo 8-3. The duo will compete in the consolation bracket Saturday.

Price and Sheehan-Dizon kick off doubles competition Saturday against LSU’s Olivia Howlett and Yvette Vlaar after receiving a first round bye.

For more tournament information, click here.