DALLAS, Texas – There was no sign of quitting in the McNeese women's tennis team who took a tough Southern Methodist squad to the wire but were unable to overcome the Mustangs who handed the Cowgirls a 6-1 loss.
 
The Cowgirls (1-3) gave up the early doubles point, with losses at the first and third flights but fought back in singles play with members of the team turning in their most competitive performance so far in the early season.
 
"We played a tough match, SMU competed well but we were right there with them the whole match," said head coach Helena Besovic. Playing a hard schedule early in the season is setting us up for our conference play and I think that we have much to look forward to as the season progresses. I am proud of our effort this weekend."
 
McNeese's lone point over the Mustangs (2-0) came at No. 2 singles, where sophomore Julia Kral topped Anna Kate Anderson 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. Additionally, three other Cowgirls pushed their match to three sets. Junior Klaudia Gawlik was defeated at the No. 1 spot by Hristina Dishkova 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 while freshman Hannah Brett lost to Dasha Sharapova in the No. 3 spot 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. Sophomore Vivien Borbely took her match to three sets on Court 4, before losing 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 10-2.
 
The Cowgirls will wrap up their six-match road swing this weekend as they travel to Southern Miss on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Tulane on Sunday, Feb. 8. McNeese will host its first home match against UTA on Friday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.
 
SMU 6, McNeese 1
Jan 31, 2015 – Dallas, Texas
 
Doubles
1. Vaszilisza Bulgakova/Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Klaudia Gawlik/Anastasija Trubich (MCN) 6-1
2. Hristina Dishkova/Holly Verner (SMU) vs. Hannah Brett/Julia Kral (MCN) unfinsihed
3. Yana Erkeeva/Mary Wright (SMU) def. Vivien Borbely/Andreea Nenu (MCN) 6-0
 
Singles
1. Hristina Dishkova (SMU) def. Klaudia Gawlik (MCN) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
2. Julia Kral (MCN) def. Anna Kate Anderson (SMU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
3. Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Hannah Brett (MCN) 7-5, 2-6, 6-1
4. Vaszilisza Bulgakova (SMU) def. Vivien Borbely (MCN) 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 10-2
5. Mary Wright (SMU) def. Anastasija Trubich (MCN) 6-1, 6-4
6. Holly Verner (SMU) def. Andreea Nenu (MCN) 6-0, 6-2
 
Records: McNeese (1-3); SMU (2-0)