WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- No. 19-ranked Midwestern State set the tone by taking all three doubles matches on its way to a deceiving 8-1 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith Saturday afternoon at the MSU Tennis Center.
 
"Sometimes tennis can be a little misleading because there were some really tight matches," MSU coach Scott Linn said. "I knew doubles would be really critical. Our girls were very familiar with them and we were ready to compete today. (UA-Fort Smith) is a tough program and there were no easy matches today. They have a great shot at making the regionals."
 
It was the eighth consecutive home win for the Mustangs, who remained perfect at 5-0.
 
MSU hits the road to play Hardin-Simmons and McMurry next weekend before opening Lone Star Conference play the following Wednesday against Tarleton State in Stephenville.
 
Sophomore Kayla Casey and junior Taylor Coffman battled for an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles over the Arkansas-Fort Smith duo of Abby White and Abby Thompson.
 
It was the first tight match for Casey and White as the two scrapped before White survived for the Lions' lone win of the day at No. 1 singles by narrowest of margins -- 6-3, 3-6, (10-7).
 
MSU's Courtney Anderson and Amy Clifton teamed for an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles, while Madeline Schorlemmer and Lauren Pineda rolled to an 8-1 win at No. 3.
 
Pineda gutted out a 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, (13-11) win over Amy Belanger at No. 3 singles to depict the Mustangs' will and determination against the No. 6 team in region.
 
"My gut is if we compete on nine courts, we will take five results from them," Linn said. "When we do that we are very tough to beat."
 
The remainder of MSU's wins came in straight sets as Clifton defeated Thompson (6-3, 6-3) at No. 2, Coffman edged Masa Podunavac (7-6 (10-4), 6-4) at No. 4, Anderson beat Madison Carr (6-1, 6-1) at No. 5 and Schorlemmer upended Taylor Price (6-4, 6-2) at No. 6.
 
The Mustangs improved to 26-4 in singles match play and 14-1 in doubles play through the first five matches this season in front of a throng of spectators at the MSU Tennis Center.
 
"The crowds have been great," Linn said. "We have really good support not only from our students and staff, but the tennis community as well."
 
Arkansas-Fort Smith fell to 3-3 on the season.