FORT SMITH, Ark. – The No. 17-ranked Northeastern State women's tennis team opened the 2016 campaign with a 6-3 victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith Friday afternoon at the Fort Smith Athletic Club.
 
The RiverHawks had to default at two positions and lost just one match overall to secure the season-opening triumph over the Lions. After NSU fell behind 1-0 after defaulting at the third doubles position, sophomores Easton Parker and Daria Panferova squared up the match at 1-1 following an 8-6 victory over Lindsy Pearce and Taylor Price at the second doubles flight.
 
The doubles competition went in favor of the visitors when senior Patricia Husakova and sophomore Molly Worden, the nation's No. 21-ranked doubles tandem, topped Brittaney McCasin and Abby Thompson 8-4 at the top of the order.
 
UAFS picked up the first point in singles action when NSU defaulted at the sixth position, but momentum quickly swung back in favor of the visitors when Panferova defeated Thompson 6-0, 6-1 on the second flight.
 
Madison Carr topped true freshman Karla Tomaic 6-0, 6-3 on the fourth court to again tie the match at 3-3, but Northeastern State won the final three courts to take the 6-3 triumph.
 
Worden, the nation's No. 46-ranked singles player, topped Pearce 6-0, 6-1 at the third position, while Parker defeated Price 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the fifth flight. No. 30-ranked Husakova closed proceedings with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over McCasin on the top court.
 
Next up for the RiverHawks will be a 2 p.m. match Feb. 13 against No. 30 Drury at the NSU Tennis Complex.
 
Tennis Match Results
Feb 05, 2016 at Fort Smith, Ark.
(Fort Smith Athletic Club)
 
#17 Northeastern State 6, Arkansas-Fort Smith 3
 
Singles Competition
1. #30 Patricia Husakova (NSU) def. Brittaney McCasin (UAFS) 6-4, 6-2
2. Daria Panferova (NSU) def. Abby Thompson (UAFS) 6-0, 6-1
3. #46 Molly Worden (NSU) def. Lindsy Pearce (UAFS) 6-0, 6-1
4. Madison Carr (UAFS) def. Karla Tomaic (NSU) 6-0, 6-3
5. Easton Parker (NSU) def. Taylor Price (UAFS) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
6. Tristan Brunson (UAFS) def. No Player (NSU) forfeit
 
Doubles Competition
1. #21 Patricia Husakova/Molly Worden (NSU) def. Brittaney McCasin/Abby Thompson (UAFS) 8-4
2. Daria Panferova/Easton Parker (NSU) def. Lindsy Pearce/Taylor Price (UAFS) 8-6
3. Madison Carr/Jaycie Wright (UAFS) def. No Player/No Player (NSU) forfeit
 
Match Notes
Northeastern State 1-0; National ranking #17
Arkansas-Fort Smith 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,4,3,5,1)
 
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