LAKE CHARLES—McNeese women's tennis team picked up a 4-0 home opening win over Southern here Saturday to improve to 5-0 on the season.  The 5-0 start is the best start in program history since the 1999 started their season 7-0.
 
Today was a great day," said first year head coach Gabby Moore. "The girls were so happy to finally be at home and have home court advantage. We played great tennis today and really grabbed the momentum from the beginning of doubles all the way through singles."
 
McNeese opened the match by winning the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead.  Heta Nuutinen teamed with Luna Jokanovic at the No. 3 doubles to defeat Olivia Jenkins and Kourtni Stewart 6-2 for the win. Emma-Lou Pommiers teamed with Tiana Fox at No. 1 doubles to defeat Takalani Molaoa/Agyeponmaa 6-3 to clinch the doubles point. 
 
The Cowgirls went on to win two more singles points to clinch the overall win.  Pommiers defeated Molaoa 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 1 singles and Sanchis defeated Olivia Jenkins 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 6 singles.
 
"Our crowd support was amazing and I think they kept us on our toes and definitely added energy."
 
McNeese will return to action next Friday when they will face Wyoming in McComb, Mississippi.  The Cowgirls will return home Feb. 22 to host Alcorn at 2 p.m.
 
 
SINGLES
1. Emma-Lou Pommiers (MCN) def. Takalani Molaoa (SU) 6-0, 6-0
2. Heta Nuutinen (MCN) vs. Paris Washington (SU) 6-3, 4-1, unfinished
3. Tiana Fox (MCN) vs. Kourtni Stewart (SU) 6-1, 4-2, unfinished
4. Natalia Ballo (MCN) vs. Sasha Taruberekera (SU) 6-1, 5-1, unfinished
5. Maria Wang Martinez (MCN) def. Kai Wince (SU) 2-1, retired
6. Ariane Monlleo Sanchis (MCN) def. Olivia Jenkins (SU) 6-1, 6-1
 
DOUBLES
1. Emma-Lou Pommiers/Tiana Fox (MCN) def. Takalani Molaoa/Agyeponmaa Mintah (SU) 6-3
2. Maria Wang Martinez/Ariane Monlleo Sanchis (MCN) vs. Paris Washington/Kai Wince (SU) 4-5, unfinished
3. Heta Nuutinen/Luna Jokanovic (MCN) def. Olivia Jenkins/Kourtni Stewart (SU) 6-2