AUSTIN - The Wichita State women's tennis team collected its first win of the season Sunday, defeating Middle Tennessee State, 4-1, at the Texas Tennis Center.
 
From Head Coach Colin Foster
"We were pushed by a very complete MTSU team. They really didn't have any holes in their lineup and I thought we did well to bounce back from a pretty physical match yesterday," said head coach Colin Foster.
 
Doubles
The Shockers collected the doubles point in comeback fashion Sunday, with wins on courts two and three. Alexandra Lazarova and Ting-Ya Hsu battled Marta Peris Herrero and Lidia Burrows in the bottom flight, coming out victorious with a 6-3 decision. Costanza Magazzini and Zani Barnard of MTSU took down Sarvinoz Saidhujaeva and Esther Thebault, 6-1, in the top flight to set up a showdown on court two. The Shocker duo of Marta Bellucco and Sandra Honigova battled with Kim Kermet and Luisa Zirilli, traded games throughout the set. In the end, the Shocker pair won a tight one in a tiebreaker, 7-6, to give WSU the doubles point.
 
Singles
Ting-Ya Hsu recorded her first dual win of the season in the sixth flight, defeating Luisa Zirilli of MTSU (6-2, 6-2), pushing the Shocker lead to 2-0.
 
"Ting-Ya is showing a much more consistent level of play, we know some of the shots she's capable of but it's the routine that sometimes trips her up and that's been a big improvement she's committed to make thus far in the semester," said Foster.
 
The Raiders bounced back on court three, where Lidia Burrows dropped Marta Bellucco (6-2, 6-4) to cut the deficit to one with four courts remaining.
 
On court five, Shocker sophomore Alexandra Lazarova took on Lee Barnard. After dropping the first set, Lazarova rolled through the final two sets (6-1, 6-1) to give WSU a 3-1 advantage.
 
"Alexandra has a tendency to allow her confidence to be shaken at times and she got past that today in a big way, winning convincingly in the second and third sets," Foster said.
 
Thebault, competing in her second dual singles match of her career, was tested by Kermet in the number two position. Thebault trailed 1-3 early on, but the transfer from France stormed back to win the set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (2). Thebault found a groove in the second set, storming to a 6-3 win.
 
"For Esther to manage the nerves at the end of both sets and clinch the match will only benefit her and the team going forward, as she's a player with so many skills, is so coachable, and has a great work ethic. We are excited what she'll be able to contribute to the team," Foster said.
 
Honigova took on Magazzini in the top flight, and was leading 4-1 in the third before play was suspended. Saidhujaeva trailed MTSU's Barnard in the third before going unfinished.
 

---

Results
Singles
1. Sandra Honigova (WSU) vs. Costanza Magazzini (MTS) 2-6, 6-1, 4-1, unfinished
2. Esther Thebault (WSU) def. Kim Kermet (MTS) 7-6 (7-2), 6-3
3. Lidia Burrows (MTS) def. Marta Bellucco (WSU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Sarvinoz Saidhujaeva (WSU) vs. Zani Barnard (MTS) 6-4, 1-6, 2-4, unfinished
5. Alexandra Lazarova (WSU) def. Lee Barnard (MTS) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
6. Ting-Ya Hsu (WSU) def. Luisa Zirilli (MTS) 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Costanza Magazzini/Zani Barnard (MTS) def. Esther Thebault/Sarvinoz Saidhujaeva (WSU) 6-1
2. Marta Bellucco/Sandra Honigova (WSU) def. Kim Kermet/Luisa Zirilli (MTS) 7-6 (7-5)
3. Alexandra Lazarova/Ting-Ya Hsu (WSU) def. Marta Peris Herrero/Lidia Burrows (MTS) 6-3
Match Notes:
 
Middle Tennessee State 1-3
Wichita State 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,3,5,2)