BYU tennis: women's netters fall short in Deseret First Duel

PROVO, Utah – The BYU women’s tennis team fell to Utah 5-2 in the Deseret First Duel on Saturday at the BYU Indoor Tennis Courts.

“We fought hard, but I think we beat ourselves today,” BYU head coach Lauren Jones-Spencer said. “I think the emotions are a little higher in these rivalry matches. Whether one team is ranked or not, it could always go either way.”

The Utes (5-2) took the doubles point by sweeping all three matches. Meghan Sheehan-Dizon and Nicolette Tran were topped by No. 17 Tereza Bekerova and Paige Miles on Court 1. Elena Najera-Salas and Natasha Smith squeaked past Morgan Anderson and Mackenna Maddox on Court 2, 7-6.

The Cougars (5-2) earned the first singles point as Nicolette Tran quickly defeated Najera-Salas 6-1, 6-0 on Court 4.

Then on Court 2, Anderson notched BYU’s second point with a win over Sarah Pham 6-3, 6-4.

“Morgan had been struggling lately, but she played tough today,” Jones-Spencer said. “She stayed positive, executed her game well and she broke through. It was a huge win for her.”

Desiree Tran forced No. 79 Bekerova to three sets but fell short 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Court 1.

BYU’s next match is on the road against Oregon on Friday at 1 p.m. PST.

Doubles 1. Bekerova/Miles (UU) def. Sheehan-Dizon/N. Tran (BYU) 8-3 2. Najera-Salas/Smith (UU) def. Anderson/Maddox (BYU) 7-6 3. Craig/Pham (UU) def. Paul/D. Tran (BYU) 8-3 Order of finish: 1, 3, 2

Singles 1. Tereza Bekerova (UU) def. Desiree Tran (BYU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 2. Morgan Anderson (BYU) def. Sarah Pham (UU) 6-3, 6-4 3. Callie Craig (UU) def. Meghan Sheehan-Dizon (BYU) 7-6(6), 6-0 4. Nicolette Tran (BYU) def. Elena Najera-Salas (UU) 6-1, 6-0 5. Natasha Smith (UU) def. Mackenna Maddox (BYU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 6. Paige Miles (UU) def. Aubrey Paul (BYU) 6-3, 6-2 Order of finish: 4, 2, 3, 1, 6, 5

Aaron Sorenson is the tennis sports information director at BYU.