Last Cougars fall at regionals

LAS -- The BYU women’s tennis team’s run in the ITA Mountain Region Championships came to a halt as its last doubles team and last singles competitor dropped out of the main draw Friday.

No. 5 seed Callie Craig and Megan Price were defeated by UNLV’s Lucia Batta and Anna Maskaljun in an 8-6 match. Batta also beat Elle Carney in the Round of 16 for singles (6-2, 6-1).

“The girls did pretty well this week,” said Lauren Jones Spencer, interim head coach. “We were coming from Santa Barbara, so we had those wins behind us, and this was a chance to continue our progress.”

In singles consolation, Price beat Carla Manzi of Colorado 6-4, 6-3 to make it to the semifinals Saturday. Price won matches against opponents from Idaho and Nevada to reach the quarterfinals.

“It was a good way to finish the fall preseason, and we’re looking forward to the regular season in January,” Spencer said.

The Cougars won’t play again until Jan. 14, when they play at Ole Miss.