LAKE CHARLES—McNeese women's tennis team defeated Dillard 5-2 in its 2025 home opener Saturday, winning four of its five matches in straight sets to improve to 2-1 on the year.  It was the season opener for Dillard.
 
"I'm so happy with our fight today," said head coach Sonia Carlson.  "We started a little nervous and uncomfortable, but the team pushed through for a solid 5-2 win. Playing at home in front of our crowd felt amazing, and their support made a big difference.
 
"Freshmen Elena (Morales) and Stella (Rundova) picked up their first singles wins as Cowgirls, taking care of business in the bottom lineup. Ana (Hollweg) and Ari (Ariane Monlleo Sanchis) competed really well at the top this weekend, showing great leadership. I'm so proud of our effort, and we're excited to carry this momentum into our three-game road trip in Arkansas next weekend."
 
The Cowgirls jumped out to a 1-0 lead by winning the doubles point.  Stella Rundova and Ariane Monlleo Sanchis picked up a 6-0 win on court 1 before Toffee Ghorab and Elena Morales won 6-3 on court 3 to clinch the point.
 
McNeese opened up a 4-0 lead by winning its next three singles matches.  Rundova picked up a win on court 6, her first singles victory as a Cowgirl to give McNeese a 2-0 lead.  Hollweg won in straight sets on court 1, and Morales also picked up her first singles win as a Cowgirl with a straight set win on court 5. 
 
Dillard picked up its first point of the day with a straight set win on court three.  Sanchis added the fifth and final point for the Cowgirls with a three-set win on court 2.  Sanchis dropped the first set then bounced back to win the next two sets to pick up the win.
 
Rundova, Sanchis, and Morales all won both their matches on the day. 
 
McNeese will travel to Arkansas for its next three matches.  The Cowgirls will face Harding University (Jan. 31) and Missouri State (Feb. 1) in Searcy, Arkansas.  The Arkansas trip will end with a Feb. 2 match at Central Arkansas.  
 
    
SINGLES
1. Ana Hollweg (MCN) def. Anja Hriblijan (DU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Ariane Monlleo-Sanchis (MCN) def. Hang Nguyen (DU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-1
3. Weichiao Chen (DU) def. Alexa Martinez (MCN) 6-4, 6-3
4. Truc Tran (DU) def. Toffee Ghorab (MCN) 6-4, 3-6, 10-7
5. Elena Morales (MCN) def. Valentina Gomez (DU) 7-5, 6-1
6. Stella Rundova (MCN) def. Dora Olgungul (DU) 6-0, 6-0
 
DOUBLES
1. Stella Rundova/Ariane Monlleo-Sanchis (MCN) def. Truc Tran/Anja Hriblijan (DU) 6-0
2. Weichiao Chen/Hang Nguyen (DU) def. Ana Hollweg/Alexa Martinez (MCN) 6-3
3. Toffee Ghorab/Elena Morales (MCN) def. Valentina Gomez/Dora Olgungul (DU) 6-3