FORT-SMITH, Ark. – The Newman women's tennis team opened conference play with a bang Thursday afternoon (Mar. 14) with a 4-2 win over Arkansas Fort-Smith. The Jets move to 9-6 on the season and end a two year skid to the Lions.

No. 2 Isabela Bifano and Emily Young claimed the lone doubles set 7-5 as the Lions jumped ahead to an early 1-0 match lead.

The Jets turned in an impressive performance in singles play, winning the first three matches. Vlada Litvinova took No. 1 singles 6-1, 6-2 extending her winning streak to four straight in singles action. Liza Gerasimova added another victory to her season 6-2, 6-1 jumping the Jets out to a 2-1 lead. No. 4 singles, Emily Young put the Jets a point away from a match clinching win, claiming both her sets 6-3 and 6-0.

The Jets match lead would be trimmed to one, 3-2 after No. 5 singles Marian Gaviria lost 6-2, 6-0. Coming down to the wire, No. 3 singles Isabela Bifano clinched the match for the Jets winning a three set thriller 6-2, 2-6 and 6-3.

RESULTS

Singles
#1 Vlada Litvinova (NU) def. Bianca Koen (UAFS) – 6-1, 6-2
#2 Liza Gerasimova (NU) def. Majella Nobile (UAFS) – 6-1, 6-4
#3 Isabela Bifano (NU) def. Joanna Potet (UAFS) – 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
#4 Emily Young (NU) def. Shaun Williams (UAFS) – 6-3, 6-0
#5 Marian Gaviria (NU) lost Samantha Wong (UAFS) – 2-6, 0-6
#6 Mirella Calvalcanti (NU) vs. Chloe Ruppanner (UAFS) – 4-6, Unfinished

Doubles Competition
#1 Gerasimova/Litvinova (NU) lost Koen/Wong (UAFS) – 2-6
#2 Bifano/Young (NU) def. Nobile/Williams (UAFS) – 7-5
#3 Gaviria/Calvalcanti (NU) lost Potet/Ruppanner (UAFS) – 7-6

The Jets will continue the Arkansas road trip tomorrow afternoon (Mar. 15) against Southern Arkansas.