ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University women's tennis handed crosstown foe Hardin-Simmons University its first American Southwest Conference West Division loss of the season, 7-2, at the Seidel-Swagerty Tennis Center. The win improved the War Hawks' record to 8-6 overall, 1-1 in ASC West action.
 
McM was able to take a 2-1 lead in the team score after the doubles matches. HSU's No. 1 pair topped the War Hawks' Samantha Ritz and Kiara Jones, 8-4, but the host battled back to take the other matches. Next off the court was No. 3 doubles, where Briana Perez and Kaitlyn Roberts won, 8-6. In the second line doubles contest, the War Hawks' pair of Claire Huffine and Zayra Gomez gritted out a 9-8 (7-3) victory.
 
Then McMurry flexed its muscle in singles, winning the Nos. 1-5 matches in straight sets. No. 1 player Samantha Ritz dispatched of HSU's Michaela Ellison, 6-3, 7-5, while Huffine had an easier time at No. 2, where she topped the Cowgirls' Kyra Mobley, 6-1, 6-1.
 
Gomez defeated Maddie Hammond at No. 3 (6-4, 6-4) and Perez took care of HSU's Abigail Kendall at No. 4 singles (6-1, 6-0). Neah Garza gave McM its final team point at No. 5 singles with her 6-1, 6-2 win over Kelsey Doege.
 
Despite losing at No. 6 singles, Roberts split sets with the Cowgirls' Grace Masonheimer. Massonheimer won the opening set, 6-3, with Roberts taking set two, 6-4.  Masonheimer won the set three pro set, 10-7.
 
Gomez, Perez and Ritz all earned their ninth singles wins of the season versus HSU.  Gomez and Huffine improved to 7-2 in doubles action.
 

McMurry University 7, Hardin-Simmons 2
04/10/2018 at Abilene, Texas (Seidel-Swagerty Tennis Center)

Singles competition

1. Samantha Ritz (MCMW) def. Michaela Ellison (HSUW) 6-3, 7-5

2. Claire Huffine (MCMW) def. Kyra Mobley (HSUW) 6-1, 6-1

3. Zayra Gomez (MCMW) def. Maddie Hammond (HSUW) 6-4, 6-4

4. Briana Perez (MCMW) def. Abigail Kendall (HSUW) 6-1, 6-0

5. Neah Garza (MCMW) def. Kelsey Doege (HSUW) 6-1, 6-2

6. Grace Masonheimer (HSUW) def. Kaitlyn Roberts (MCMW) 6-3, 4-6, 10-7

Doubles competition

1. Michaela Ellison/Abigail Kendall (HSUW) def. Samantha Ritz/Kiara Jones (MCMW) 8-4

2. Claire Huffine/Zayra Gomez (MCMW) def. Kyra Mobley/Maddie Hammond (HSUW) 9-8 (7-3)

3. Briana Perez/Kaitlyn Roberts (MCMW) def. Kelsey Doege/Elizabeth Lopez (HSUW) 8-6

Match Notes

Hardin-Simmons 1-14, 1-1 ASC

McMurry University 8-6, 2-1 ASC

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,2,5,3,6,1)

A-57