NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Southeast Missouri women's tennis (4-7, 1-1 OVC) recorded its first Ohio Valley Conference win in 2018 with a 4-3 victory over Tennessee State (10-4, 0-3 OVC) Friday afternoon at Hadley Park.
 
"I am very proud of our team's performance today," head coach Mary Beth Gunn said. "We never gave up and really renewed our focus after losing the doubles point. We fought hard as a team and everyone contributed today."
 
The Redhawks earned four singles wins at the top four slots to edge the Tigers in their OVC home opener after dropping the doubles point.
 
Kseniya Zonova tied the dual at 1-1 when she breezed by Morgan Cage, 6-0, 6-1, at no. 2 singles.
 
Oleksandra Doroshenko then extended her singles winning streak to five matches to give Southeast a 2-1 edge in the dual. Doroshenko battled past Ani Popiashvilli, 6-4, 6-0 at the top singles position.
 
Anais Emelie grew SEMO's lead to 3-1 when she cruised by Ashia Jones, 6-2, 6-2, at fourth singles.
 
Alessandra Maya Thompson then sealed the victory for Southeast, 4-3, when she fought past Aarushi Kakkar at no. 3 singles. Maya Thompson regrouped after dropping the first set, 4-6, to claim the second and third sets, 6-0, 6-3.
 
The Redhawks take on Belmont (4-11, 0-3 OVC) Saturday at the Ensworth HS Tennis Center at 1 p.m.