DALLAS, Texas – Despite battling throughout the entire match, the McNeese women's tennis team was unable to overcome an early deficit and fell to undefeated Southern Methodist, 5-2, at the SMU Tennis Complex Friday afternoon.
 
The Cowgirls dipped to a 3-2 overall record while SMU picked up its second consecutive victory to start the season.
 
The Mustangs picked up the first point of the match following a sweep in doubles play. The team of Klaudia Gawlik and Anastasija Trubich were defeated by the combo of Vaszilisza Bulgakova and Hristina Dishkova in the No. 1 spot while Giovanna Fioretti and Julia Kral lost the battle on Court Two. The No. 3 team of Sarah Jurakova and Hannah Brett's set went unfinished.
 
SMU continued its strong play in singles as Mary Wright took Court Six over Charoline Errlandson 6-4, 6-2. The Mustangs stretched their lead to a 3-0 advantage over McNeese following a Kral loss at the hands of Bulgakova 6-1, 7-5 in the No. 2 spot.
 
The match was decided on Court One and despite a strong effort shown throughout, Gawlik lost to Dishkova in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 1-6.
 
Sophomore Sarah Jurakova's stretch of 13 consecutive singles victories came to an end on Friday as she fell to SMU's Dasha Sharapova 7-5, 6-4 in the fourth position. Hannah Brett provided the first point for McNeese with a 6-4, 7-6 (7) win over Ana Perez-Lopez.
 
Freshman sensation Giovanna Fioretti was able to grind out a three-set battle in the No. 3 spot and top the Mustangs' Yana Erkeeva 4-6, 7-5, 10-8. Fioretti is now tied for most singles wins among the team with four.
 
The Cowgirls will be back in action Saturday morning when they face off against Middle Tennessee in a neutral site matchup on the campus of Southern Methodist. First serve is slated for 9 a.m.
 
McNeese State vs SMU
Jan 29, 2016 at Dallas, Texas
SMU 5, McNeese State 2
 
Singles competition
1. Hristina Dishkova (SMU) def. Klaudia Gawlik (MCN) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
2. Vaszilisza Bulgakova (SMU) def. Julia Kral (MCN) 6-1, 7-5
3. Giovanna Fioretti (MCN) def. Yana Erkeeva (SMU) 4-6, 7-5, 10-8
4. Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Sarah Jurakova (MCN) 7-5, 6-4
5. Hannah Brett (MCN) def. Ana Perez-Lopez (SMU) 6-4, 7-6
6. Mary Wright (SMU) def. Charoline Erlandsson (MCN) 6-4, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Vaszilisza Bulgakova/Hristina Dishkova (SMU) def. Klaudia Gawlik/Anastasija Trubich (MCN) 6-1
2. Dasha Sharapova/Ana Perez-Lopez (SMU) def. Giovanna Fioretti/Julia Kral (MCN) 6-4
3. Macie Elliott/Mary Wright (SMU) vs. Sarah Jurakova/Hannah Brett (MCN) unfinished
 
Match Notes:
McNeese State 3-2
SMU 2-0
A-34