Smyser Wins at No. 4 Singles to Lift Harding Women's Tennis over Northwest Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Harding junior Brittany Smyser, who missed the Lady Bisons' match on Wednesday with an illness, came back just in time to clinch the winning point in the third set of her No. 4 singles match and give Harding a 5-4 victory over Northwest Missouri State on Friday. It was Harding's first victory this season over a regionally ranked opponent and its second 5-4 win.

With the victory, Harding improved to 6-3 overall and 3-3 against Division II opponents. Northwest Missouri, a member of the MIAA and ranked ninth in the Central Region, fell to 1-5.

Harding lost two of the three doubles matches but picked up a key point at No. 1. The duo of Piper Huey and Laura Golubic won 8-3 for their second straight win and their 10th victory in 14 matches together this season.

Down 2-1, Harding bounced back quickly with singles wins at No. 1 (Huey), No. 2 (Golubic) and No. 3 (Gabriella Alves), all in straight sets. At that point, Harding led 4-2.

Northwest Missouri won at No. 5 and No. 6 with Smyser's match in the third set. Smyser, who won seven three-set matches last season, won her first this season and clinched the match for the Lady Bisons with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory at No. 4.

Harding will return to action Sunday in Searcy against NCAA Division III opponent Rhodes College.

Tennis Match Results
Harding vs Northwest Mo. St.
Mar 17, 2017 at Springfield, Mo.
(Cooper Tennis Complex)

Harding 5, Northwest Mo. St. 4

Singles competition
1. Piper Huey (HU) def. Aniek Kolen (NWMSU) 7-6, 7-5
2. Laura Golubic (HU) def. Tania Teruel (NWMSU) 7-5, 6-1
3. Gabriella Alves (HU) def. Irene Nunez (NWMSU) 7-6, 6-1
4. Brittany Smyser (HU) def. Luiza Souza (NWMSU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
5. Margaux Jacquet (NWMSU) def. Arielle Butler (HU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1
6. Andrea Gallardo (NWMSU) def. Emily Faulkner (HU) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Piper Huey/Laura Golubic (HU) def. Luiza Souza/Tania Teruel (NWMSU) 8-3
2. Irene Nunez/Aniek Kolen (NWMSU) def. Gabriella Alves/Brittany Smyser (HU) 8-3
3. Tess Lovig/Margaux Jacquet (NWMSU) def. Emily Faulkner/Milou Dalmolen (HU) 8-6

Match Notes:
Harding 6-3
Northwest Mo. St. 1-5; Regional ranking #9

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Players Mentioned

Gabriella Alves: Junior

Arielle Butler: Senior

Emily Faulkner: Junior

Laura Golubic: Junior

Piper Huey: Senior

Brittany Smyser: Junior

Milou Dalmolen: 5' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Gabriella Alves
: Junior

Arielle Butler
: Senior

Emily Faulkner
: Junior

Laura Golubic
: Junior

Piper Huey
: Senior

Brittany Smyser
: Junior

Milou Dalmolen
: 5' 4"; Freshman