LAS VEGAS – Six of BYU’s singles players and two doubles teams advanced to the second round at the ITA Regional Championships, Wednesday.
“It was a long day. We were the first to arrive at the courts this morning and the last to leave tonight,” said BYU women’s tennis head coach Holly Parkinson Hasler. "I'm proud of the perseverance and team support. Overall, it was a great first day and we are anxious to work on the things we learned in tomorrow's matches."
In Flight One of the singles competition, the Cougars had a solid showing. Anastasia Abramyan came out on top in a heated three-set match, winning 7-5, 6-7, 6-3 against Idaho’s Melissa Hutchet. Madeline Almeida also won in straight sets against Boise State’s Ana Conde Vendrell 6-2, 6-2. Kate Cusick Truman fell in two intense sets against Colorado’s Maria Campos 6-2, 7-6, and Emilee Astle fell in two to Weber State’s Pei Kuo 6-3, 7-6.
In Flight Two, BYU continued its winning streak, recording wins in all four singles matches. Helen Jiao defeated Colorado State’s Anastasia Kotsyuba 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Leah Heimuli also won in three sets, beating Idaho’s Marta Magalhaes 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. Emma Jewell won in straight sets against Idaho State’s Madison Fenske 6-3, 6-2, and Morgan Hall Curtis beat Natalie Stanton 7-6, 6-2.
In the doubles round of 64, the Cougars came away with two out of four wins. Almeida and Astle picked up an 8-6 win over Wyoming’s Clara Mansart and Oleksandra Balaba, while Heimuli and Cusick Truman took home the win against Colorado State’s Riley Reeves and Emma Corwin 8-4.
Abramyan and Jiao fought hard in their doubles match but fell to Utah State’s Gabrielle Dekkers and Ryan 8-7. Hall and Jewell also took a loss in the first round, falling to Idaho State’s Coburn and Fenske 8-3.
Doubles teams Almeida and Astle, and Heimuli and Cusick Truman will compete on Thursday in the second round of doubles matches, while Abramyan, Jiao, Hall and Jewell will compete in doubles consolation matches.