BERKELEY -- The Cal Nike Invitational ended with a strong showing by the BYU women’s tennis team. The Cougars came away from the tournament with enthusiasm for practice and play in the coming weeks.

“I don’t remember being this excited to get back to practice to work hard,” BYU coach Craig Manning said.

In doubles play, the performance of junior Jocelyn Jensen and freshman Romina Nedakovic earned them a place in the finals of their draw after beating Long Beach State’s Julie Luzar and Rachel Manasse 8-2. The Cougar duo then fought for the title against Saint Mary’s Marah Calvo and Molly Aloia but fell 8-4.

Sophomore Liza Ezhova lost her first- round singles match but bounced back to win her two consolation matches and clinch a spot in the semifinals. She withdrew from the match because it was on Sunday.

Juniors Kristina Doerr and Chie Hayaska also had solid singles performances and were featured in the quarterfinals of their respective draws. Hayasaka won both of her matches in straight sets before losing to Long Beach State’s Manasse. Doerr upset the No. 22 player in the country before losing to the tournaments’ fourth seed Arizona State’s Kelcy McKenna.

“We learned a lot,” Manning said. “Everyone is leaving feeling like good things are ahead.”

For complete results of the tournament, Click here.

The Cougars will continue their fall season at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s regional competition on Oct. 15.

PROVO -- The BYU women’s tennis team will continue its fall season in California this weekend at the Cal Nike Invitational in Berkeley. The Cougars will face opponents from 13 other schools including host California, Fresno State, Arizona, Arizona State, UC Davis, University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s, University of the Pacific, Long Beach State, Sacramento State, Nevada and Santa Clara.

BYU is going into the competition after its first official week of practice and last week’s BYU Invitational. Coach Craig Manning said the team is looking to make improvements following the tournament.

“We’re looking forward to working on things we’ve identified since last week,” Manning said.

Manning is also anticipating tougher competition than the Cougars saw at last week’s invitational.

“I’m looking forward to stronger competition for McCall [Jones],” Manning said. “She wasn’t really challenged last week.”

Jones, one of three freshmen on this year’s team, won the singles title at the BYU Invitational after dominating her opponents throughout the tournament. Also competing for the Cougars will be junior Kristina Doerr, who is No. 96 in the preseason rankings and made it to the semifinals of the BYU Invitational.

Matches will begin Friday at the Hellman Tennis Complex and Channing Tennis Courts.