HOUSTON (SMU) – SMU women's tennis earned their second straight victory, defeating Rice on the road 4-3 for their seventh straight over the Owls. The Mustangs improved to 5-4 in the spring as they enter a six-game homestand.

"Our team fought so hard in this match today," said Head Coach Jeff Nevolo. It was an absolute battle, and it was great to see us step up when it mattered. We're very proud of the group. Rice played an excellent match, and we had to earn every point today."

After the Owls took the first doubles match 6-3, Sophie Llewellyn and Ellie Pittman evened the doubles point and earned their second-ranked win of the dual season, defeating No. 85 Fernanda Martinez/Darya Schwartzman 6-3. Then, Caroline McGinley and Drew Morris earned their first win as a pairing in the spring, taking down Diva Ratkovic/Nithesa Selvaraj 6-3 to give SMU the early 1-0 lead. 

Rice opened singles with wins on court four and court two, taking a 2-1, before Drew Morris earned SMU's first singles win, defeating Nithesa Selvaraj 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 to tie the match at 2-all. The Owls earned another singles win at the fifth position as Millie Skelton came up short to Fernanda Martinez, with Martinez winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. However, SMU took the final two courts with Caroline McGinley defeating Saara Orav 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), and Ellie Pittman clinching the match with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win on court two to give the Mustangs the 4-3 win.

NEXT UP:
SMU will return home for their first ACC match against Notre Dame on Feb. 21 at 3 pm CT.  

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Mustangs by following SMU Women's Tennis on X @SMUWTennis, on Instagram @smuwtennis, and on Facebook @SMUWomensTennis or check out information online at smumustangs.com.
 
Results

SMU 4, Rice 3
 
Doubles
1. Sophie Llewellyn/Ellie Pittman (SMU) def. No. 85 Fernanda Martinez/Darya Schwartzman (RICE) 6-3
2. Caroline McGinley/Drew Morris (SMU) def. Divna Ratkovic/Nithesa Selvaraj (RICE) 6-3
3. Francesca Maguina/Saara Orav (RICE) def. June Bjork/Kayla Schefke (SMU) 6-3
 
Singles
1. Darya Schwartzman (RICE) def. Sophie Llewellyn (SMU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Ellie Pittman (SMU) def. Divna Ratkovic (RICE) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
3. Drew Morris (SMU) def. Nithesa Selvaraj (RICE) 6-3, 0-6, 6-3
4. Francesca Maguina (RICE) def. June Bjork (SMU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Fernanda Martinez (RICE) def. Millie Skelton (SMU) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
6. Caroline McGinley (SMU) def. Saara Orav (RICE) 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
 
(Order of finish: Doubles 3, 1, 2 / Singles 4, 1, 3, 5, 6, 2)