WACO, Texas – There was much promise shown in the McNeese State women's tennis season opener Thursday afternoon as the Cowgirls took on one of the top ranked squads in the nation and showed no signs of backing down in an edged loss to No. 11 Baylor, 4-3, at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center.
 
The Cowgirls (0-1) came away with an abundance of confidence for the rest of its season after receiving outstanding performances from their top two players as well as the middle of its single's lineup.
 
McNeese freshman Giovanna Fioretti began her collegiate career in good fashion with a singles win while sophomore's Hannah Brett and Sarah Jurakova also clinched victories in their respective positions.
 
Baylor (2-0) was awarded the first point after having secured the double's portion of the match with a victory on Courts 1 and 3. The team of Klaudia Gawlik and Anastasija Trubich were edged by Kiah Generette and Theresa Van Zyl, 6-3, on Court 1 while Jurakova and Brett fell to the combo of Newborn and Gabriela Ferreira in the third spot, 6-3.
 
In singles action, the score was extended to a 2-0 lead after the Lady Bears' Ferreira took down Vivien Borbely, 6-4, 6-1, in the sixth spot. However, Fioretti cut into the Baylor lead as she took down Newborn on Court 3 in a 6-4, 6-3 battle.
 
The Lady Bears clinched the match with victories on the top two courts. Gawlik fought hard but was defeated in the top spot, 6-4, 6-4, while Julia Kral fell to Kelly Anderson, 6-4, 7-5.
 
The contest may have been clinched but there was no let down in the heart of the Cowgirls. The final matches to be played were far from over as Brett hunkered down and defeated Van Zyl 6-2, 7-6, (9-7) while Jurakova fought back from an early deficit to clinch a win in the fifth spot, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, over Karina Traxler.
 
Although the season is early and much tennis has yet to be played, the McNeese tennis squad is determined and ready to prove itself among the elite in the Southland Conference.
 
The Cowgirls will continue opening weekend with a neutral site match against Texas Rio Grande Valley on the campus of Baylor Friday beginning at 10 a.m.
 
#11 Baylor 4, McNeese State 3
Jan 14, 2016 at Waco, Texas (Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center)
 
Singles competition
1. Kiah Generette (BU) def. Klaudia Gawlik (MCN) 6-4, 6-4
2. Kelley Anderson (BU) def. Julia Kral (MCN) 6-4, 7-5
3. Giovanna Fioretti (MCN) def. Rhiann Newborn (BU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Hannah Brett (MCN) def. Theresa Van Zyl (BU) 6-2, 7-6 (9-7)
5. Sarah Jurakova (MCN) def. Karina Traxler (BU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
6. Gabriela Ferreira (BU) def. Vivien Borbely (MCN) 6-4, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Kiah Generette/Theresa Van Zyl (BU) def. Klaudia Gawlik/Anastasija Trubich (MCN) 6-3
2. Kelley Anderson/Karina Traxler (BU) vs. Julia Kral/Giovanna Fioretti (MCN) unfinished
3. Gabriela Ferreira/Rhiann Newborn (BU) def. Sarah Jurakova/Hannah Brett (MCN) 6-3
 
Match Notes
McNeese State 0-1
Baylor 2-0; National ranking #11
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (6,3,1,2,4,5)