BEAUMONT, Texas – The McNeese Cowgirl tennis squad received its 2018 Southland Conference trophy prior to Friday's first round match against No. 8-seed Incarnate Word, then proved its No. 1 seeding after sweeping the Cardinals 4-0. 

The Cowgirls will take on No. 4 Sam Houston State in the semifinal round at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

McNeese (16-3, 11-1 SLC) wasted no time getting on the board today against the Cardinals (5-18, 3-9 SLC).

Leading the day off in doubles for the Cowgirls in the number two spot Giovanna Fioretti and Marija Mastilovic defeated the Cardinal duo of Sara Djurdjevic and Rachel Sadiq 6-1 to take the early lead for the doubles point.

Next to finish were Charoline Erlandsson and Phonexay Chitdara. The McNeese duo defeated Jelena Dordan and Alejandra Tamayo 6-3 to clinch the doubles point for the Cowgirls giving the team a 1-0 lead.

McNeese's Sarah Jurakova and Hannah Brett ended their match against Matea Zemunik and Victoria Kareh with no result.

In singles play Mastilovic would finish first in the number four position. Mastilovic took care of UIW's Djurdjevic in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.

Extending the Cowgirls' lead at the number six position Chitdara defeated Tamayo in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 to give the Cowgirls a 3-0 lead.

At the number five spot Erlandsson would battle the Cardinal's Alejandra Landaluce. In their first set Erlanddson came from behind to secure the set point 7-6 by winning a tiebreaker 7-2. In their second set Erlandsson came alive, defeating her opponent 6-2.

"I'm happy with how we started the tournament today," said head coach Helena Besovic. "All of us were on the same page and we fought very hard to secure the victory."

Tennis Match Results

Incarnate Word vs McNeese

Apr 27, 2018 at Beaumont, Texas

(Beaumont Municipal Tennis Complex)

McNeese 4, Incarnate Word 0

 
Singles competition

1. Giovanna Fioretti (MCN) vs. Matea Zemunik (UIW-W) 6-4, 4-2, unfinished

2. Sarah Jurakova (MCN) vs. Jelena Dordan (UIW-W) 6-4, 4-3, unfinished

3. Hannah Brett (MCN) vs. Victoria Kareh (UIW-W) 4-6, 6-3, unfinished

4. Marija Mastilovic (MCN) def. Sara Djurdjevic (UIW-W) 6-3, 6-1

5. Charoline Erlandsson (MCN) def. Alejandra Landaluce (UIW-W) 7-6 (7-2), 6-2

6. Phonexay Chitdara (MCN) def. Alejandra Tamayo (UIW-W) 6-1, 6-3

 
Doubles competition

1. Sarah Jurakova/Hannah Brett (MCN) def. Matea Zemunik/Victoria Kareh (UIW-W) 6-3

2. Giovanna Fioretti/Marija Mastilovic (MCN) def. Sara Djurdjevic/Rachel Sadiq (UIW-W) 6-1

3. Charoline Erlandsson/Phonexay Chitdara (MCN) def. Jelena Dordan/Alejandra Tamayo (UIW-W) 5-4

Match Notes:

Incarnate Word 5-18

McNeese 16-3

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (4,6,5)