SHAWNEE, Okla. – The No. 17-ranked Northeastern State women's tennis team defeated Oklahoma Baptist 6-3 Wednesday afternoon on the OBU Tennis Courts.
 
The RiverHawks (3-0) remained undefeated on the young campaign, while the Bison dropped to 3-2 after losing their home opener.
 
NSU got on board first when junior Valeriia Efimenko and freshman Karla Tomaic defeated Ashlynn Abbe and Alex Bowers by an 8-2 margin on the third doubles court. The sophomore duo of Daria Panferova and Easton Parker then earned an 8-5 decision over Olivia Charvat and Madeleine Boepple at the middle flight.
 
The lone doubles win for Oklahoma Baptist came at the top of the order, where Anastasiya Baranova and Kateryna Shkot defeated senior Patricia Husakova and sophomore Molly Worden 8-6. Husakova and Worden are the nation's No. 21-ranked doubles tandem.
 
OBU is currently in its first of three years making the transition from an NAIA program to the NCAA D-II level. Baranova and Shkot comprised NAIA's top-ranked doubles team all of last year. Baranova also reached as high as No. 2 in the nation in singles, while Shkot ascended to as high as No. 12 in singles last year.
 
The individual portion of competition began with Northeastern State claiming the first four decisions to secure the team victory. Efimenko defeated Bowers 6-3, 6-0 at the fifth position, and Tomaic was off next following a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Abbe on the sixth court.
 
Husakova, the nation's No. 30-ranked singles player, earned a big 6-4, 6-4 victory over Baranova at the top of the order. The loss by Baranova was her first of the season. Worden, ranked No. 46 in the nation, then topped Charvat 6-2, 6-1 on the third court.
 
The two singles points for the home team came at the second and fourth flights. Shkot defeated Panferova 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, and Boepple defeated Parker 2-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-3).
 
The Bison cannot be ranked this season due to being in Year One of the NCAA D-II transition, but they did earn a victory over No. 20 Cameron earlier this season.
 
The RiverHawks will now head to Russellville, Arkansas, for a 2 p.m. match March 2 against Arkansas Tech.
 
Tennis Match Results
Feb 24, 2016 at Shawnee, Okla.
(OBU Tennis Courts)
 
#17 Northeastern State 6, Oklahoma Baptist 3
 
Singles Competition
1. #30 Patricia Husakova (NSU) def. Anastasiya Baranova (OBU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Kateryna Shkot (OBU) def. Daria Panferova (NSU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
3. #46 Molly Worden (NSU) def. Olivia Charvat (OBU) 6-2, 6-1
4. Madeleine Boepple (OBU) def. Easton Parker (NSU) 2-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-3)
5. Valeriia Efimenko (NSU) def. Alex Bowers (OBU) 6-3, 6-0
6. Karla Tomaic (NSU) def. Ashlynn Abbe (OBU) 6-1, 6-1
 
Doubles Competition
1. Anastasiya Baranova/Kateryna Shkot (OBU) def. #21 Patricia Husakova/Molly Worden (NSU) 8-6
2. Daria Panferova/Easton Parker (NSU) def. Olivia Charvat/Madeleine Boepple (OBU) 8-5
3. Valeriia Efimenko/Karla Tomaic (NSU) def. Ashlynn Abbe/Alex Bowers (OBU) 8-2
 
Match Notes
Northeastern State 3-0; National ranking #17
Oklahoma Baptist 3-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (5,6,1,3,4,2)
 
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