LAKE CHARLES – McNeese tennis won three singles matches on Saturday against ULM, but due to only playing with five players, the Cowgirls had to forfeit a game in the doubles competition which allowed to take the point, but with neither team fielding a player in the No. 6 singles match, the teams finished up tied 3-3.

The Cowgirls (1-7-1) came close to winning the match outright as the deciding factor came down to the No. 3 singles contest between McNeese's Sofia San Jose Moreno and ULM's Madalina Grigoriu.
 
With the Cowgirls leading 3-2, San Jose Moreno fell behind 0-1 after dropping the first set 6-3. She tied things up by winning the second set 6-3 to send the match into a third and deciding set, which Grigoriu was able to squeak it out by a 6-4 score to give the Warhawks (2-1-1) a split.
 
"It was a really close match," said head coach Giorgia Pozzan. "Our team fought to the very last fall. Unfortunately today we couldn't come through but we definitely played through adversity of being down a player.
 
"I saw a lot of improvement in terms of team spirit and didn't quit, which is great to see right before conference play starts. We have one week to go back to work and get ready for conference play, so that's what we're all looking forward to."
 
Marija Mastilovic won in the No. 1 singles by defeating Jimena Garbino by a 6-2, 7-5 score, and in the No. 5 singles, Hanna Blinouskaya rallied to defeat Giovanna Pereira 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.
 
Matilde Mulatero cruised to a win in the No. 4 singles by way of a 6-3, 6-0 score.

In doubles action, the No. 2 team of Mulatero and San Jose Moreno defeated ULM's squad of Grigoriu and Pereira 6-3 after the Cowgirls fell in the No. 1 match by a 6-4 score.
 
The Cowgirls will next be in action on next Friday, Feb. 28, when it opens league play at Incarnate Word.

McNeese 3, ULM 3
Singles competition

1. Marija Mastilovic (MCN) def. Garbino, Jimena P. (ULM) 6-2, 7-5
2. Billon, Emma (ULM) def. Carlotta Romito (MCN) 6-0, 6-2
3. Grigoriu, Madalina (ULM) def. Sofia San Jose Moren (MCN) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
4. Matilde Mulatero (MCN) def. Lopicic, Jelena (ULM) 6-3, 6-0
5. Hanna Blinouskaya (MCN) def. Pereira, Giovanna (ULM) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Garbino, Jimena P./Billon, Emma (ULM) def. Marija Mastilovic/Carlotta Romito (MCN) 6-4
2. Matilde Mulatero/Sofia San Jose Moren (MCN) def. Grigoriu, Madalina/Pereira, Giovanna (ULM) 6-3
3. Alfaro, Emilia/Lopicic, Jelena (ULM) def. No player/No player (MCN), by forfeit

Match Notes:
ULM 2-1-1
McNeese 1-7-1

Singles Order of Finish: 4,2,1,5,3
Doubles Order of Finish: 3,2,1