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INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s tennis team opened its 2013 season Friday evening and took the early one-point lead by winning doubles, but the Jags could not hold on as SIU-Edwardsville rallied to earn a 4-3 win at the West Indy Racquet Club.
 
“The ladies fought hard and played some great doubles to get us out to the lead,” said interim head coach Pat Nickell. “In doubles, we were aggressive and we had great movement, but we kind of lost that in singles. However, I’m really proud of our effort tonight against a good SIU-Edwardsville team. We were in position to get the win, but just didn’t get it done.”
 
In doubles, which was a weakness for the Jags a season ago, the duo of Vanessa Whyte and Abbey Neff earned an impressive win at the No. 1 position, 8-4, to put the Jags a win away from taking the early 1-0 lead. IUPUI was able to pick up the doubles point when Shelby Hullett and Bobbi Modesto teamed up for an 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles to send the Jaguars into singles play with the one-point cushion.
 
In singles action, Hullett looked to be in good position after taking the first set at the No. 1 position, but she could not hold on as the Cougars top player rallied back for a 6-3 second-set win before taking the final set, 6-2.
 
The Jags didn’t fare much better at the No. 2 position with Neff falling in straight sets, but Modesto claimed her first collegiate win in the third singles match, 6-2, 7-6 (3), to get IUPUI back on track.
 
The middle of the line-up remained strong as Whyte overcame a first-set loss with a pair of 6-4 wins in sets two and three to earn her first win of the season.
 
However, the Jags suffered a pair of straight-set defeats at the fifth and sixth positions resulting in a narrow win for the visiting Cougars.
 
The Jags quickly return to action on Saturday, Jan. 19, when they head to nearby Muncie, Ind., to take on Ball State. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m.
 
SIU-Edwardsville 4, IUPUI 3
Doubles

1. Whyte/Neff (IUPUI) def. Donner/Krutak (SIUE) – 8-4
2. Hullett/Modesto (IUPUI) def. Thomas/Miller (SIUE) – 8-2
3. Ilcewicz/Halverson (SIUE) def. Bays/Bridegroom (IUPUI) – 8-4

Singles

1. Donner (SIUE) def. Hullett (IUPUI) - 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
2. Krutak (SIUE) def. Neff (IUPUI) – 6-1, 6-0
3. Modesto (IUPUI) def. Ilcewicz (SIUE) - 6-2, 7-6 (3)
4. Whyte (IUPUI) def. Halverson (SIUE) – 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
5. Miller (SIUE) def. Bays (IUPUI) – 6-3, 6-2
6. Thomas (SIUE) def. Bridegroom (IUPUI) – 7-6 (5), 6-3