LAKE CHARLES, La. – Despite winning the doubles point, the Southeastern Louisiana University women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision to No. 69 McNeese in Southland Conference action Saturday afternoon at the Nancy Hank Tennis Center.
Southeastern (6-9, 0-3 SLC) tested the league-leading Cowgirls (16-1, 3-0 SLC) early, taking the lead with a pair of doubles victories. McNeese, which made its debut in the ITA rankings earlier this week, rallied by sweeping singles play, though a pair of matches stretched to three sets.
"McNeese is a nationally-ranked program and we were able to take the doubles point and push them in singles play," Southeastern head coach
Jason Hayes said. "We're improving and gaining valuable experience each time out. We're going to be a tough team to beat in the Southland Conference Tournament."
The Lions jumped out to a 1-0 lead in doubles play.
Alba Perez and
Taisia Bolsova (3-1, 1-0 SLC) took a 6-4 victory over the McNeese pair of Marie Wang Martinez and Natalia Ballo on court 2. On No. 3, SLU's
Bogi Csordas and
Panatchakorn Suanarsa (3-1, 1-0 SLC) clinched the doubles point with a 7-5 win over Tiana Fox and Aina Domingo-Bernabe.
McNeese answered by earning straight-set victories on the top four singles courts. On No. 5, Martinez had to rally past Suanarsa for a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 win. Bolsova forced a third set on court 6 before ultimately falling, 6-0, 5-7, 6-2, to Ariane Monlleo-Sanchis.
Southeastern will return to Hammond for its final two home matches this week. SLU hosts St. Thomas Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. in the spring nonconference finale, before closing its home slate with an 11 a.m. SLC match versus Northwestern State Saturday at the Southeastern Tennis Complex.
40 LOVE CLUB
All membership fees and donations to both the 40 Love Club and S Club (tennis) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern tennis program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Tennis, follow @LionUpTennis on X and Instagram and like /lionupathletics on Facebook.
