SPOKANE, Wash. – The Gonzaga women's tennis team began its home tournament today with a 4-2 doubles record and an impressive 6-1 singles showing at the Stevens Tennis Center.

On the first day of the Gonzaga Invitational, Emily Robertson/Safien Boulonois paired up to advance to the Gold Draw doubles semifinals, defeating MSU 6-4 and PSU 6-2. In the same bracket, Rose Hayes/Lia Espinal beat Seattle then fell to Portland, and Norhan Hesham/Brooke Bittner dropped their match against PSU.

Savannah Johnson/Ella Nielsen won 6-3 over MSU, proceeding to the Red Draw doubles semifinals.

The Zags nearly went unbeaten in opening-round singles play on Friday, overcoming the first six challengers in straight sets. Emily Robertson, Norhan Hesham, and Safien Boulonois were victorious in the Gold Draw, while Ella Nielsen and Rose Hayes won their Blue Draw matches.

In the Red Draw, Lia Espinal double-bageled her Seattle opponent, winning both sets 6-0. Brooke Bittner received a bye to the next round, while Savannah Johnson fell to Montana.

Up next: The Gonzaga Invitational continues through Sun. Oct. 27 at the Stevens Tennis Center in Spokane. Tomorrow's competition will include doubles semifinals and singles quarterfinals/semifinals, along with consolation matches.

Results
Gold Doubles:
R16 – Emily Robertson/Safien Boulonois def. Meg McCarty/Mia Ljubas (MSU) 6-4
QF – Emily Robertson/Safien Boulonois def. Scarlett Perkins/Elizabeth Strongina (PSU) 6-2
R16 – Rose Hayes/Lia Espinal def. Daria Nazarenko/Jade Quintana (Seattle) 6-2
QF – Aleksandra Dimitrijevic/Lexie Flores (Portland) def. Rose Hayes/Lia Espinal 6-3
R16 – Nika Beukers/Nene Uemura (PSU) def. Norhan Hesham/Brooke Bittner 6-2 

Red Doubles:
QF – Savannah Johnson/Ella Nielsen def. Andrea Cuquerella/Kavya Khirwar (MSU) 6-3

Gold Singles:
R16 – Emily Robertson def. Daria Nazarenko (Seattle) 6-2, 6-1
R16 – Norhan Hesham def. Meg McCarty (MSU) 6-2, 6-0
R16 – Safien Boulonois def. Kate Prichard (UM) 6-3, 6-1

Blue Singles:
R16 – Ella Nielsen def. Magdalena Nunez Pureco (USU) 6-1, 6-2
R16 – Rose Hayes def. Natalia Michta (Seattle) 6-4, 6-1

Red Singles:
R16 – Brooke Bittner BYE
R16 – Lia Espinal def. Mina Yazadzhiev (SU) 6-0, 6-0
R16 – Olivia Moir (UM) def. Savannah Johnson 6-1, 6-2