HOUSTON, Texas – SMU women's tennis started the 2018-19 season at the Rice Invitational on Friday, advancing two singles entries to flight semifinals at the George R. Brown Tennis Center.

Senior Ana Perez-Lopez led the Mustangs, defeating Maryland's Millie Stretton in straight sets in Flight 2 by a score of 7-5, 6-2. Perez-Lopez will play Linda Huang from Rice in tomorrow's semifinals.

Senior Karina Traxler dropped the first set against Vanja Klaric of USF, but battled back to win the match 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Traxler advances to the Flight 1 semifinals to face North Texas's Tamuna Kutubidze tomorrow.

Sarai Monarrez Yesaki, Emma Pieroni and both SMU doubles pairs dropped their opening round matches, but will play in consolation matches tomorrow.

Saturday's action will begin at 8 a.m., starting with unfinished first round matches and followed by second round action.

2018 Rice Invitational (Friday, Sept. 21 – SMU Results)
SINGLES

• Flight 1: Karina Traxler (SMU) def. Vanja Klaric (USF) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
• Flight 2: Ana Perez-Lopez (SMU) def. Millie Stretton (Maryland) 7-5, 6-2
• Flight 3: Lucia Natal (UTA) def. Sarai Monarrez Yesaki (SMU) 6-3, 6-4
• Flight 9: Carla Pons (UTA) def. Emma Pieroni (SMU) 6-1, 6-2

DOUBLES

• Flight 1: Heczey/Kutubidze (North Texas) def. Traxler/Perez-Lopez (SMU) 6-3
• Flight 2: Cortina-Pou/Fabian (Alabama) def. Pieroni/Monarrez Yesaki (SMU) 6-1