EDMOND, Okla. – Facing its third nationally ranked opponent in four days, the Harding women's tennis team flashed its elite potential at the top of the lineup Saturday morning before falling 5-2 to No. 5 Washburn University at the Edmond Center Court.

The Lady Bisons (2-7) ended a grueling week by splitting the singles matches at the top three positions against an Ichabods squad that reached the NCAA semifinals a year ago.

Roux and Boylu Pace the Bisons

The doubles point went to Washburn (10-1) behind quick wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, but the featured match at No. 1 lived up to the billing. Harding's No. 4-ranked duo of Karli Roux and Brooke Coffman engaged in a battle against Jasel Bailey and Saajida Razick. The Lady Bisons duo displayed great poise under pressure, securing a 7-5 victory to move to 13-4 overall on the season.

In singles play, Roux continued her high-level play at the top of the order. Roux, ranked No. 44 in the nation, secured one of her most significant wins of the season against No. 31-ranked Riko Konno. Roux handled the Washburn ace in straight sets, winning 6-4, 7-6 to account for Harding's first singles point of the day.

At the No. 3 position, Ece Boylu returned to the lineup and provided a major spark. After a strong 6-4 opening set, Boylu bounced back from a second-set loss to outlast Mariana Silva in a dramatic match tiebreaker, winning 6-4, 0-6, 10-6 to secure the second point for the Lady Bisons.

Ichabod Depth Prevails

The Ichabods clinched the overall victory by controlling the bottom half of the singles lineup. At No. 2 singles, freshman Brooke Coffman battled through a close first set before falling to Saajida Razick, 6-3, 6-0.

Washburn added straight-sets wins at positions No. 4, 5, and 6, with both Jasel Bailey and Maddie Shelley recording 6-0, 6-0 shutouts.

Up Next

The Lady Bisons return home to Searcy to take on Northeastern State on Mar. 21 at the Elliott Tennis Complex. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
 

#5 Washburn 5, Harding 2

Doubles Competition

1. #4 Karli Roux/Brooke Coffman (HU) def. Jasel Bailey/Saajida Razick (WU) 7-5

2. Daniela Tijaro/Mariana Silva (WU) def. Natalia Alvarez/Kenna Kelley (HU) 6-1

3. Peyton Koper/Maddie Shelley (WU) def. Mia Hosking/Paula Rega (HU) 6-0

Singles Competition

1. #44 Karli Roux (HU) def. #31 Riko Konno (WU) 6-4, 7-6

2. Saajida Razick (WU) def. Brooke Coffman (HU) 6-3, 6-0

3. Ece Boylu (HU) def. Mariana Silva (WU) 6-4, 0-6, 10-6

4. Jasel Bailey (WU) def. Mia Hosking (HU) 6-0, 6-0

5. Maddie Shelley (WU) def. Kenna Kelley (HU) 6-0, 6-0

6. Charlotte Bair (WU) def. Paula Rega (HU) 6-2, 6-1

Order of finish: Doubles (3, 2, 1); Singles (4, 6, 5, 1, 2, 3)