RICHARDSON, Texas – For the third consecutive season, McMurry Women's Tennis has advanced to the American Southwest Conference semifinal round as the War Hawks defeated East Texas Baptist 5-2 in the first round Thursday in Richardson, Texas.

McMurry (9-10) will face Hardin-Simmons in the semis on Friday, April 29 at 10:30 a.m. The entire tournament is hosted at UT Dallas.

The War Hawks set the tone early with three doubles wins, starting with an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles as McKenzie Carroll and Andrea Smith defeated Corrine Hall and Kylee Mixon. Carroll and Smith would go on to win their singles matches, as well, clinching the match for McMurry.

At No. 2 doubles, Bridgette Fly and Kaylin Parker cruised to an 8-3 win over Faith Kirk and Keelie Stamson. The top flight of doubles was close, but Hope Turner and Hannah DeFriend finished off the doubles sweep with an 8-6 win over Gabbi Hammerbach and Javde Childress.

ETBU (8-9) got one back at No. 2 singles with a win by Hammerbach over DeFriend, but Carroll put the pressure back on with a 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 6 singles.

The Tigers stayed alive with a tight battle at No. 5 singles, as a fresh Isabelle Duarte defeated Parker by a 6-4, 7-5 final.

Smith put an end to the match as she secured the No. 4 spot with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Hall. Fly had a substantial lead in No. 3 singles before the match ended, while Turner and Childress were in the middle of a third set at No. 1 singles. Both won 6-3 sets to force the third.

For more information about the tournament, click here.