The USU women’s tennis team opened the season at the BYU Invitational which ran Thursday through Saturday.

The Lady Aggies returned five players this year, and among those was senior Britney Watts, who finished well, winning the B silver singles bracket.

Watts defeated Weber State’s Britney Moore 6-1, 6-1, Saturday morning. Watts also defeated Colorado State’s Riu Xu, Lauren Mulhern and Aggie teammate Jenny Phillips earlier in the week to advance to Saturday’s action – the only Aggie to do so.

Watts did not compete in the invitational last year and did not perform as well two years ago when she did compete. The rest of the team had mixed results.

First round victories and second round losses dominated, with only Kristina Voytsekhovich advancing to the third round in the A silver singles bracket. Voytsekhovich lost in the third round to Colorado State’s Caitlin Fluegge, 6-2, 6-3.

Aggie head coach Christian Wright says this year’s team is very coachable, eager to learn and has a good attitude. With four new freshman and one junior transfer from Southern Utah University, Wright said he expects his more experienced players to be the leaders. He also said because individual play is so different from team play, he expects the more experienced players to help their new teammates out with that transitions.

“I like the fight in this team. They did not let up,” he said.

Wright said the doubles did not perform their best this weekend, and the overall key to success in the WAC this year will be execution.

Last year’s team play only saw wins against Idaho State, twice, Louisiana Tech, San Jose State and Seattle University.

USU also had an early first round exit in the WAC tournament falling to Boise State 4-0. The Aggies will be in action again Oct. 8-10 when they host the Utah State Open.

–ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu