LA MIRADA, Calif. -- After a hectic travel day, the Lewis-Clark State women’s tennis team began play at the ITA West Regionals Thursday, hosted by Biola University.

Freshman Deanri Human and sophomore Bryn Oliveira played first-round singles matches on Thursday afternoon, and Human defeated Julia Anaya of Arizona Christian University 6-2, 6-0 in her first collegiate contest.

“It’s always nerve-wracking for a freshman to play matches but that is exactly why she is here,” Warrior tennis coach Kai Fong said. “She is forming her competitive foundation.”

Human will now advance to play top-seeded Nikki Yvanovich of Westmont in the single-elimination event.

Grace Davis of Westmont defeated Oliveira 6-1-6-3, but Fong was pleased with her play.

“Her opponent was more consistent today,” he said. “The first set went fast but Bryn adjusted well in the second set after realizing what she had to do.”

The Warriors flew out of Spokane at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, but didn’t arrive in Los Angeles for the tournament until after 2 a.m. after three hours’ worth of mechanical delays during their layover in San Francisco.

Sophomore Livia Blasque and senior Dorothy Chong received first-round byes in the three-day tournament, and will begin play on Friday morning.

Human and Oliveira will team up in the doubles bracket, as will Blasque and Chong.
Doubles action also begins Friday, as both teams got byes into the quarterfinal round.

“Win or lose, our players are always improving,” Fong said. “These experiences will be significant for our main competitive seasons starting in January.”