USU tennis: Aggie doubles teams shine in first day of the Jack Taylor Classic

Utah State women’s tennis had three doubles teams advance out of the opening round Friday at the first day of the Jack Taylor Classic in Boise, Idaho, hosted by Boise State University.

In the Blue Flight, the doubles team of sophomore McKenzie Davis and senior Jaci West captured a first round win over the Idaho State team of Marian Tangarife and Laura Theus by default. In the quarterfinals, the duo defeated Adriana Wojokowska and Natalie Heffron from Colorado State (8-1). The team will compete in the semifinals on Saturday.

In singles, USU had its best success of the day in the Blue Flight where Davis captured a first round win against Chrissy Uriarte of Eastern Washington (6-2, 6-0). She followed that victory with another straight set win over Anna Lambert of Seattle (6-1, 6-1). In two matches, Davis lost only four games.

Senior Julie Tukuafu and freshman Amber Stuhlmann beat Michelle Warwick and Megan Rindlisbacher from in-state rival Weber State in the Orange Flight (8-3). In the quarterfinals, Tukuafu and Amber Stuhlmann stopped Constance Alexander and Ale Lozano from Western Athletic Conference rival Idaho (8-4).

All three players advanced to the second round in the Orange Flight. Freshman Kallie Sperry and Tukuafu both advanced with bye. Freshman Amber Stuhlmann earned a first round win over Nittaya Phonharath of Weber State (6-3, 6-4). Sperry and Tukuafu both suffered three-set losses in the second round, while Amber Stuhlmann lost in straight sets to Manuela Pietzuch of host Boise State (6-3, 6-4).

In the shortened White Flight, the duo of sophomore Hilary Hays and freshman Ashley Stuhlmann had a bye in the quarterfinal round. In the semifinals, the pair defeated the Boise State team of Fiona Mok and Abby Stevens (8-6).

In the White Flight singles, Hays and Ashley Stuhlmann both advanced out of the first round before falling in the second round in straight sets.

All the Aggies will be in action on Saturday, Sept. 29, either in main draws or in consolation draws.

Jack Taylor Classic Day One

Blue Flight - Singles

First Round Results

Ashley Mackey (Montana) def. Kristina Votsekhovich (USU) 6-4, 6-1

Natalie Heffron (CSU) def. Jaci West (USU) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4)

McKenzie Davis (USU) def. Chrissy Uriarte (EWU) 6-2, 6-0

Second Round Results

McKenzie Davis (USU) def. Anna Lambert (Seattle) 6-1, 6-1

Blue Flight - Doubles

First Round Results

Sperry/Voytsekhovich (USU) def. Hedberg/Knight (EWU) 8-4

Davis/West (USU) def. Tangarife/Theus (ISU)- default

Quarterfinal Round Results

Gbadamosi/Mackey (Montana) def. Sperry/Voytsekhovich (USU) 8-1

Davis/West (USU) def. Wojakowska/Heffron (CSU) 8-1

Orange Flight – Singles

First Round Results

Amber Stuhlmann (USU) def. Nittaya Phonharath (Weber St.) 6-3, 6-4

Kallie Sperry (USU) – BYE

Julie Tukuafu (USU) – BYE

Second Round Results

Manuala Pietzuch (BSU) def. Amber Stuhlmann (USU) 6-3, 6-4