SPOKANE, Wash. – The Gonzaga women's tennis team opened play at the Gonzaga Invite on Friday with a strong first day, earning multiple singles wins and several solid doubles performances to set the tone for the weekend.

In singles action, Emily Robertson, Karla Brown, Sveva Zerpelloni, Elizabeth Tindera, Rose Hayes, and Ella Nielsen each picked up straight-set victories. Robertson and Brown both posted commanding 6-3, 6-0 results, while Zerpelloni rolled 6-0, 6-3 and Tindera matched that with a 6-3, 6-0 win. Hayes battled through a super tiebreaker to claim a 6-2, 0-6, 10-7 result, and Nielsen added a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Brooke Bittner came through in a tight three-set battle, winning 6-4, 3-6, 11-9, while Madeleine MacNeille fell just short in a 6-0, 7-6(5) match. Diana Yanotovskaya and Savannah Johnson each pushed their opponents to deciding sets but came up just short in their openers.

In doubles play, Robertson and Nielsen advanced to the semifinals with wins of 6-3 and 6-1, while Hayes and Zerpelloni also reached the semifinals after two strong victories, 7-6(6) and 6-1. Tindera and Brown won their opening match 6-3 before narrowly falling 6-4 in the quarterfinals, and Bittner and Yanotovskaya earned a 6-2 win before dropping a close 6-4 decision in their quarterfinal.

The Zags continue play Saturday as the Gonzaga Invite resumes in Spokane.