ARLINGTON, Texas – Fearless. That's been the word to describe the youthful Midwestern State women's tennis squad throughout the 2017 campaign as the 15th-ranked Mustangs did not back down from the challenge of capturing the program's third Lone Star Conference title in four years Saturday afternoon in a 5-1 victory over No. 3 seed Tarleton State at the Arlington Tennis Center.

The victory over the TexAnns solidified a spot for Midwestern State (21-4) into its 17th NCAA Tournament, earning one of 21 automatic bids for the 48-team postseason field beginning Monday, May 1 at select campus sites.

The Mustangs won two of three doubles matches and three singles matches in straight sets en route to claiming their first league crown since capturing back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.

MSU fended off a feisty Tarleton State (12-10) squad in doubles play with junior Daria Panferova and sophomore Eirini Kontaki lifting the Maroon and Gold to an early 1-0 advantage with an 8-5 victory at No. 2 over Erika Johnston and Ashleigh Elward.

On court three, the tandem of Alicia Barbaroux and Tori Simmons snapped the 15-match win streak of sophomore Greta Lazzarotto and freshman Ashley Ramirez with an 8-5 win to even the match at 1-1.

Trailing 7-4, sophomore Maddy Coffman and freshman Bianca Duff won five-straight games to propel the Mustangs back in front with a 9-7 triumph at the top position over Luiza Ferraro-Adas and Elena Preadca for a 2-1 lead in the match.

Midwestern State overpowered the TexAnns in singles play with Duff dropping just one game before posting a 6-0, 6-1 win over Barbaroux at line three to push the MSU lead to 3-1.

Kontaki helped the Mustangs to a 4-1 advantage soon after with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Preadca on court two before Ramirez earned the clincher at No. 6 with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Simmons.

Midwestern State will be one of four teams from the South Central Region to advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Mustangs will learn their opening round opponent Tuesday at 7 p.m. when the NCAA Selection Show airs online at NCAA.com.

#15 Midwestern State 5, Tarleton State 1
Apr. 22, 2017 at Arlington, Texas (Arlington Tennis Center)

Singles Competition
1. Daria Panferova (MSU) vs. Erika Johnston (TSU) 6-1, 5-2, unfinished
2. Eirini Kontaki (MSU) def. Elena Preadca (TSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Bianca Duff (MSU) def. Alicia Barbaroux (TSU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Maddy Coffman (MSU) vs. Ashleigh Elward (TSU) 6-4, 4-1, unfinished
5. Greta Lazzarotto (MSU) vs. Luiza Ferraro-Adas (TSU) 6-3, 1-4, unfinished
6. Ashley Ramirez (MSU) def. Tori Simmons (TSU) 6-2, 6-4

Doubles Competition
1. Bianca Duff/Maddy Coffman (MSU) def. Elena Preadca/Luiza Ferraro-Adas (TSU) 9-7
2. Daria Panferova/Eirini Kontaki (MSU) def. Erika Johnston/Ashleigh Elward (TSU) 8-5
3. Alicia Barbaroux/Tori Simmons (TSU) def. Greta Lazzarotto/Ashley Ramirez (MSU) 8-6

Match Notes:
Tarleton State 12-10; Regional ranking #5
Midwestern State 21-4; National ranking #15; Regional ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (3,2,6)
LSC Women's Tennis Championship Final