Monson and Stephens win championships at BYU
Two Utah State tennis players took first place in the consolation championships and two more took second and third at the BYU Invitational Friday and Saturday.
Senior Carolyn Stephens and sophomore Lauren Monson won their consolation finals in singles flights four and six, respectively. Stephens beat Cinthia Saucedo of Utah 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. Monson defeated Crystal Knysh of Denver 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
In the doubles consolation draw on Friday, Monson and Courtney Anderson defeated a team from Weber State 8-2 before winning 9-7 in an epic final against a team from the University of Utah.
This was the first meet of the season for the women’s tennis team. Utah State tennis coach Christian Wright said the Invitational was a good opportunity to get match ready.
“We focused on staying in the point and waiting for our opportunities,” Wright said.
Stephens did just that on Friday. She came from behind to win in her semifinal match 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 and propel her into the final.
Because it was the first meet of the season, not everything went smoothly.
“There were a couple times where our lack of concentration on the match showed,” Wright said.
Courtney Anderson lost 6-1, 6-1 in the flight 3 consolation final after winning her first set 6-2.
Anderson took second in her flight to go with her consolation championship in doubles.
The Invitational was a really good effort and gave the team a lot to look at, Wright said.
Jill Smith defeated Chelsee Drews, of Weber State, 6-0, 7-6 to take third in the consolation singles flight two.
Lindsey Bennion finished third in the number one singles flight for the Aggies. Bennion had to retire from her match with an injury. At the time Bennion was up one set and was tied 6-6 in the second with Elana Smit of Weber State.
Andrea Hansen also placed third in the number five singles flight.
Hansen lost in two tightly contested sets 7-5, 7-6 to take third.
For the weekend, the Aggies went 6-7 in their singles matches and 3-4 for their doubles matches.
“I took a lot of positives away from the weekend and I hope the team did too,” Wright said.
The Aggies will have a couple weeks of practice before competing in the Rolex Invitational in Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 20-24.
-krn@cc.usu.edu