MORAGA, Calif. – It was an overcast day as action got underway at Day 1 of the SMC Fall Invite, with the Gaels in action across the singles and doubles courts.
 
DOUBLE'S DELIGHT
The duo of Stefanie Silva and Olivia Rook got the action started Friday morning, as they came up against Alaia Rubio Perez and Meagan Pearson of University of Portland in the blue bracket.
 
The Gaels battled against the Pilots pairing, but took care of business in the end to win 7-5. They then faced University of San Francisco's Maria Martinez Vaquero and Simran Chhabra, who brought the intensity to the Saint Mary's duo. Rook and Silva battled throughout the match, but were unable to keep pace, losing 6-4. 
 
Saint Mary's had two doubles pairings in the red bracket as well, with Gabriela Tevez and Jamie Pope facing off against the Academy of Art's Maria Vittoria Casucci and Yun Nicole Shiau. Despite getting off to a quick start, the Gaels duo were unable to maintain momentum, losing the match 6-4.
 
Lene Mari Hovda and Madison Weekley got off to a great start in the red bracket, as they battled University of San Francisco's Alicia Yue and Arianna Capogrosso. Weekley and Hovda were all business, winning 6-3. 
 
They then took on Sacramento State's Julia Moraes and Alexis Johnson later in the morning, where they went back and forth with the Hornets duo. 
 
After winning six games apiece, they went to a tiebreak, the Gaels hoping to keep their doubles run alive. Hovda and Weekley did just that, confidently winning the tiebreak 7-2. 
 
Hovda and Weekley will face off against Olive Maunupau and Kristina Evloeva in the red bracket semi-finals Saturday morning at 9:00 am. 
 
SOFT SERVING WINS
Six Gaels were active in the red and blue single's bracket on Friday in Moraga, with a handful of Gaels advancing into Saturday's quarterfinals.
 
Gabriela Tevez bounced back from her double's loss earlier in the day to beat Sacramento State's Alexis Johnson 6-4, 6-0 in the red bracket. Tevez will play Alicia Yue of University of San Francisco at 11:30 am Saturday morning.
 
Jamie Pope was also on the court in the red bracket, facing off against Santa Clara's Varya Zlotnik. 
 
Pope came out swinging, winning the first set 6-4. Zlotnik bounced back in the second set, winning 7-6, and 7-4 in the tiebreak. There was everything to play for in the third and final set, and Pope unfortunately ran out of steam, losing 6-0. 
 
Pope will play in the consolation bracket on Saturday at 2:30 pm.
 
Madison Weekley continued her strong Friday, beating the Academy of Art's Viktoria Leth 6-4, 6-2. Weekley is set to play in the quarterfinals Saturday October 29 at 12:00 pm.
 
On the blue side of the bracket, Olivia Rook faced off against University of Portland's Iva Zelic. Rook wasn't able to grab hold of the game, as Zelic won 6-1, 6-1. Rook will play Kristina Evloeva Saturday morning at 12:30 in the blue consolation bracket. 
 
Stefanie Silva took on Arianna Stavropoulos of UC Davis Friday afternoon, as both players grinded out each point. Stavropoulos took the first set 6-2, but Silva began to bounce back in the second set, taking the UC Davis player to a tiebreak. Silva started the tiebreak well, but was unable to maintain her serve, losing the tiebreak 7-3, and the set 7-6.
 
Silva will be in action again tomorrow in the consolation bracket as she faces Alexis Sam of Pacific at 12:30 pm. 
 
Lene Mari Hovda battled throughout her singles match Friday afternoon, as she bested Pacific's MiaAngelina Ruja 6-0, 2-6, 6-4, in one of Day 1's most exciting matches.
 
Today's results, as well as the full bracket, can be found HERE.