ABILENE, Texas – The 36th-ranked St. Edward's women's tennis team defeated #26 Central Oklahoma, 5-1, Monday morning in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Eager Tennis Pavilion.

St. Edward's (14-9) started off play in doubles taking two of the points quickly. Audrey Tompkins and Alexandra Khadzhyan defeated Julia Shviadok and Elizabeta Abramovic, 8-2, at the number one position. At number three doubles, Francesca Chahor and Mary Bain took down their opponents in Anto Rossini and Sowmya Pulumati, 8-5. The Central Oklahoma duo of Rose Cabato and Anna Kochigina defeated Paige Rachel and Rafaela Haegele, in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (9-7).

Up 2-1, St. Edward's needed to win just three of the singles matches to advance. The middle of the Hilltopper lineup did what it has ben doing all year, and that was dominating opponents. Tompkins, Haegele, and Bain all own their matches in straight-sets at the numbers 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

St. Edward's advances to the round of 32 to take on host, Abilene Christian. The Wildcats are ranked sixth in the nation and have already defeated the Hilltoppers once this season, 7-0 in Abilene. First serve is set for 9:45 a.m.