PLANO, Texas – Lamar University had three players advance to Saturday's semifinals of the 2019 Cougar Invitational including sisters Sanja and Ana Jolic, and freshman Jayci Wong. The Cardinals posted a 9-2 (.818) record on the opening day of the tournament with seven of the victories coming in singles competition.
 
Of the three singles players who advanced to the semifinals, two may have been somewhat of a surprise. Sanja – the older of the two Jolic sisters – was the top overall seed in flight one and was expected to advance, but both Ana Jolic and Wong are true freshmen.
 
"We had some very good performances today," said LU head coach David Wong. "Any time you get three players in the semifinals and two doubles teams advance to the winner's bracket on the opening day you have to be pleased with that.
 
"Sanja had a tough second round match up but was able to pull it off. Ana has really been playing some determined tennis, and Jayci played tough to knock off the No. 3 seed. Our team now needs to get some rest and get ready for Saturday," added Wong.
 
The older Jolic received an opening-round bye before dispensing of Barton's Alexandra Abyasova in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 12-10. Jolic's next opponent has not yet been determined due to other matches that are still ongoing.
 
The Red and White picked up three wins Friday in the Flight Two bracket with sophomore Laura Sola Grau picking up an opening-round victory to go along with the younger Jolic's two wins. Jolic shutout Barton County College's Mariane Lima and New Mexico Military Institute's Jenese Fulgenzi to qualify for Saturday's semifinals.
 
Wong was victorious in her opening-round match against NCTC's Mar Mendoza. Wong recorded a three-set decision, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 10-6. In the second round, Wong dispensed of the University of the Southwest's Allylah Padilla in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0.
 
Freshman Denise Simonetti opened up the tournament with a solid victory over Southwest's Erika Mogollon, 6-2, 6-2. Simonetti's victory placed her in the quarterfinals of the top flight where she squared off against North Central Texas' Annunciata De-Souza but came up just short in a three-setter, 0-6, 6-3, 10-8.
 
Several matches were still in progress including several doubles competitions. The Cardinals will be back in action for the second round of play beginning at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.