AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's took what was a close match after doubles play and turned it into a rout, defeating Heartland Conference rival Dallas Baptist, 8-1, Friday afternoon at the Strohmeyer Varsity Courts.
 
St. Edward's (1-2) got an easy win at the number one doubles position as BROOKE HUGHES and SASHA KHADZHYAN took down Amanda Richter and Cassandra Wennerstom, 8-3. After the Hilltoppers fell at number three doubles, it came down to number two doubles as to who would take the team lead going into singles. SUMMER BIGGS and RAFAELA HAEGELE took the Dallas Baptist pair of Leah Rutt and Leah Smith to a tiebreaker. The Hilltopper duo made the shots when they counted, winning the tiebreaker 7-4.
 
In singles play, St. Edward's rode the momentum of the last doubles match and swept all six matches. The Hilltoppers got straight-set wins at the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 5 spots. Franchesca Chaher and BREANNE HESSELTINE both lost their first sets but rallied to win the second and take home their match in a superset tiebreaker.
 
"I was really proud of the true team effort and fight today," head coach Kendall Brooks said. "Everyone really stepped up and played composed, confident tennis no matter their score. Winning all of the singles matches was huge, and we were extremely happy to get our first win and start 1-0 in conference play."
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday when they host NCAA Division I Stephen F. Austin. First-serve is set for 3 p.m. at the Strohmeyer Varsity Courts.
 
Dallas Baptist vs St. Edward's
Feb 21, 2014 at Austin, Texas
(Strohmeyer Varsity Courts)
 #43 St. Edward's 8, Dallas Baptist 1
Singles competition
1. BROOKE HUGHES (SEUWT) def. Leah Rutt (DBUWT) 6-4, 6-1
2. SASHA KHADZHYAN (SEUWT) def. Amanda Richter (DBUWT) 6-4, 6-0
3. RAFAELA HAEGELE (SEUWT) def. Cassandra Wennerstom (DBUWT) 6-4, 6-2
4. FRANCESCA CHAHER (SEUWT) def. Leah Smith (DBUWT) 1-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-6)
5. SUMMER BIGGS (SEUWT) def. Lindsay Wilkerson (DBUWT) 6-1, 6-1
6. BREANNE HESSELTINE (SEUWT) def. Lyvia Gomez (DBUWT) 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8)
 Doubles competition
1. BROOKE HUGHES/SASHA KHADZHYAN (SEUWT) def. Amanda Richter/Cassandra Wennerstom (DBUWT) 8-3
2. SUMMER BIGGS/RAFAELA HAEGELE (SEUWT) def. Leah Rutt/Leah Smith (DBUWT) 9-8 (7-4)
3. Lyvia Gomez/Lindsay Wilkerson (DBUWT) def. BREANNE HESSELTINE/TATIANA MARCHIZANO (SEUWT) 8-1
Match Notes:
Dallas Baptist 0-3
St. Edward's 1-2; National ranking #43