Box Score | Season Stats

DALLAS (SMU) --The SMU women's tennis team improved to 7-0 and earned its first win over a ranked opponent this season, defeating No. 62 USF, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon at the Ann and Brad Brookshire Family Pavilion at the SMU Tennis Complex.

"I thought we did a very good job of closing matches out," said head coach Kati Gyulai. "I think we were looking forward to this match because last year they really beat us and I think the team remembered that."

SMU (7-0, 2-0 The American) won all three doubles matches, giving the Mustangs an early 1-0 lead. Hristina Dishkova and Holly Verner remained undefeated on the year, topping Jessica Cortes and Olga Martinez, 6-2, in the No. 2 match.

Vaszilisza Bulgakova and Dasha Sharapova clinched the point, defeating Vera Bessonova and Olaya Garrido-Rivas, 6-4, in the No. 1 slot. Yana Erkeeva and Mary Wright gave the Mustangs' the doubles sweep with a 7-5 victory over Juliana Cardoso and Hailey Grillo in the No. 3 match.

In singles, Dishkova extended SMU's lead to 2-0, defeating Garrido-Rivas, 6-4, 6-1, in the No. 1 slot.

USF (2-6, 0-1 The American) earned its first point of the match in No. 2 singles, where Bessonova defeated Anna Kate Anderson, 6-3, 6-4. The Bulls' Jessica Cortes then evened the match at 2-2, topping Erkeeva, 6-4, 6-4, in the No. 3 match.

The Mustangs then reeled off three straight wins to end the match. Wright brought SMU within a point of clinching, topping Grillo, 7-5, 7-6 (4), in the No. 6 slot. Sharapova then clinched it for the Mustangs, defeating Martinez in three sets in the No. 3 match, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

In No. 5 singles, Bulgakova beat Cardoso, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-1.

"I think we're destined to accomplish a few more things," said Gyulai. "As long as we continue to get better every match and stay healthy, we'll do something special."

The Mustangs make their first road trip of the season next weekend, as they travel to the Sooner State for a pair of matches against ranked opponents. On Friday, Feb. 27, SMU takes on No. 13 Oklahoma State at 5:30 p.m. CT in Stillwater. The Mustangs then play No. 33 Oklahoma on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 12 p.m. CT in Norman.

Singles
1. Hristina Dishkova (SMU) def. Olaya Garrido-Rivas (USF) 6-4, 6-1
2. Vera Bessonova (USF) def. Anna Kate Anderson (SMU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Olga Martinez (USF) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
4. Jessica Cortes (USF) def. Yana Erkeeva (SMU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Vaszilisza Bulgakova (SMU) def. Juliana Cardoso (USF) 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1
6. Mary Wright (SMU) def. Hailey Grillo (USF) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)

Doubles
1. Vaszilisza Bulgakova/Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Vera Bessonova/Olaya Garrido-Rivas (USF) 6-4
2. Hristina Dishkova/Holly Verner (SMU) def. J. Cortes Chaves/Olga Martinez (USF) 6-2
3. Yana Erkeeva/Mary Wright (SMU) def. Juliana Cardoso/Hailey Grillo (USF) 7-5
Order of finish: Doubles (2, 1*, 3); Singles (1, 2, 4, 6, 3*, 5)