TYLER, Texas -- Midwestern State knocked off the No. 3 team in the ITA rankings in its first of three dual matches at the UT Tyler Invitational. The Mustangs have started the season with a 3-0 record after defeating West Alabama in their first-ever meeting, 4-2, at Brookshire Courts on Friday afternoon.
Jessica Binzari and
Anda Ghinga set the tone by winning No. 1 doubles, 6-2, over Hardija Vidnere and Emiri Takanashi.
Sarah Mazaraki made her first appearance of the season, while
Hannah Yip played her first doubles match of the spring, and the duo posted a 6-3 victory at No. 3 doubles over Lolita Gukasian and Zoe Cvitanovic to clinch the first point of the dual match.
Ghinga continued to dominate at No. 3 singles with a routine, 6-2, 6-1, victory over Hardija Vidnere. Ghinga has not lost more than two games in six sets played this season.
Jessica Binzari improved to 2-1 at No. 1 singles with a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (2) victory over Khim Iglupas. Both of Binzari's wins have been in three sets, and the junior from Romania won her first tiebreak of the season.
Skylar Minns clinched the win for the Mustangs with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) triumph at No. 5 singles over Greta Zowles. Minns improved to 3-0 and has won her last two matches in straight sets.
Heden Ly handed Yip her first loss of the season at No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-4, and freshman
Sofia Giraldo was beaten by Emiri Takanishi at No. 4 singles, 6-4, 6-3.
Micaela McSpadden was leading Cvitanovic but did not finish the No. 6 singles match after Minns clinched the dual. McSpadden led, 6-0, 3-6, 4-2.
Giraldo and
Sydney Williams dropped their match at No. 2 doubles to Iglupas and Ly, 6-1.
Midwestern State faces another ranked opponent on Saturday afternoon at Summers Tennis Center with a clash against No. 19 Auburn-Montgomery.
--MSUMustangs.com--
