FORT SMITH, Ark. – The 27th-ranked Midwestern State Mustangs extended their winning streak to four straight with an 8-1 non-conference win over Arkansas-Fort Smith Friday afternoon at the Fort Smith Athletic Club.
 
"We played well, especially coming off an emotional win on Thursday over Cameron," said MSU coach Scott Linn.  "We came out with more focus in doubles and played as strong as I've seen as a team."
 
MSU (10-5) lost only one point to the Lions (7-10), No. 1 doubles, as Kayla Casey and Madeline Schorlemmer were beaten by Taylor Price and Masa Podunavac 8-6.
 
But the Mustangs other duos kept MSU in the lead with Lauren Pineda and Sarita Adhikary beating Amy Belanger and Whitney Hobson at No. 2 and Taylor Coffman and Fatima Clementino taking Abby Thompson and Allie Wilson at No. 3, both by 8-3 scores.
 
Then the Mustangs ran off with the singles.
 
Casey set the tone at No. 3 with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Belanger that took about 30 minutes, while Pineda ripped Madison Carr at No. 4, 6-0, 6-0.  Schorlemmer beat Thompson at No. 4 and Clementino beat Hobson at No. 6 with identical 6-2, 6-2 scores.
 
But Linn was excited about the play at the top of the lineup.
 
"(Adhikary and Coffman) did a great job in turning their matches.  I was very proud," said Linn.
 
Playing No. 1, Adhikary came from behind 3-6 after the first set to win 6-2, 6-1 over Podunavac.
 
The Coffman, at No. 2, battled Price to a 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 6-4 victory.  Coffman trailed 3-0 in the third set before coming back to win it.
 
The Mustangs return to the MSU Tennis Center on Tuesday to host Texas A&M-Kingsville in a Lone Star Conference match.  First serve is set for 1 p.m.