BATON ROUGE – The McNeese women's tennis team suffered its second straight loss to open the season when the Cowgirls dropped a 6-1 decision against 38^th-ranked LSU at W.T. "Dub" Robinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
 
McNeese (0-2) fell behind 1-0 in doubles play after suffering a doubles loss for the first time this season with setbacks in the No. 1 and No. 3 matches. Sunday began with a decision by default on Court 3 as the LSU team of Abigail Owens and Skylar Kuykendall were declared the winners..  Then, the team of Hannah Brett and Julia Kral were defeated by Tigers combo of Joana Vale Costa and Noel Scott defeated the Cowgirls 6-3 to earn the doubles point for LSU.
 
The Tigers looked to have their way in singles action as well as they took five of the six contests. The only McNeese player to score a victory was Brett who defeated Scott, who was ranked 115^th in the nation, in three sets 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
 
Andreea Nenu dropped a 6-1, 6-0 decision in the No. 5 match against Ella Taylor just before Vivien Borbely was defeated by 65^th-ranked Kuykendall 6-2, 6-0 on Court 3. On Court 4, Anastasija Trubich lost a 6-0, 6-3 decision to 74^th-ranked Owens, who put the Tigers up 5-0.
 
Brett helped the Cowgirls avoid the shutout as she took Scott to three sets and claimed a close and well-deserved victory over one of the top single's players in the country.
 
LSU claimed victory on Court 1 as 28^th-ranked Vale Costa squeaked by McNeese's Kral in three sets. Kral took the early advantage in the match with a 6-4 win in the first set but was unable to hang on as Vale Costa took the next two sets 7-5, 6-3. The win gave the Tigers a 6-1 season opening victory.
 
Court 6 was awarded to LSU's Skylar Holloway by default.
 
The Cowgirls will look to score their first victory of the young season on Saturday, Jan. 31, when they travel to Dallas to take on SMU. The match is set for an 11 a.m. start.
 
#38 LSU 6, McNeese 1
Jan 18, 2015 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
 
Doubles
1. Joana Vale Costa/Noel Scott (LSU) def. Hannah Brett/Julia Kral (MCN) 6-3
2. Skylar Holloway/Amanda Atanasson (LSU) vs. Anastasija Trubich/Vivien Borbely (MCN) 5-4, unfinished
3. Abigail Owens/Skylar Kuykendall (LSU) won by default
 
Singles
1. #28 Joana Vale Costa (LSU) def. Julia Kral (MCN) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
2. Hannah Brett (MCN) def. #115 Noel Scott (LSU) 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
3. #65 Skylar Kuykendall (LSU) def. Vivien Borbely (MCN) 6-2, 6-0
4. #74 Abigail Owens (LSU) def. Anastasija Trubich (MCN) 6-0, 6-3
5. Ella Taylor (LSU) def. Andree Nenu (MCN) 6-1, 6-0
6. Skylar Holloway (LSU) won by default
 
Records: McNeese (0-2); #38 LSU (1-0)