NACOGDOCHES, Texas –Texas State (1-1) picked up its first win of the season in a tight 4-3 decision against Stephen F. Austin (3-2) on Monday afternoon at the Schlief Tennis Complex. Juniors Rishona Israel-Lewis and Hana Kvapilova led the way for the Bobcats with two wins each.
 
Israel-Lewis and Kvapilova blanked senior Gabi Guilarte and freshman Alisha Moldakhmetova 6-0 on the top doubles court, but the Ladyjacks won the doubles point with wins on courts No. 2 and No. 3, 6-2 and 6-4, respectively.
 
The Bobcats were on the ropes early in singles play with three courts playing from behind in the first set, but Israel-Lewis put the Bobcats on the board by knocking off senior Darinka Tiboldi 6-4, 6-1 on court No. 2. Freshman Alyssa Zayat dropped a 6-1, 6-0 decision to senior Armelle Cerdan on court No. 5, but the visiting club tied the match at two points apiece with a 6-4, 6-3 victory from sophomore Renata Gonzales vs. senior Nida Kamal on court No. 6.  
 
The Bobcats took a 3-2 lead when Andrea Fuchs defeated Moldakhmetova 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 on court No. 4, and Kvapilova clinched the match with a gutsy win over Guilarte, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 on the top singles court.
 
"The team fought pretty hard against a tough team and came back to win it after losing the doubles point," said head coach Tory Plunkett. "We are very pleased with the effort the girls put out today."
 
Texas State will host the University of Incarnate Word at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 in its home opener at the Bobcat Tennis Complex.  
 
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