LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Senior Karli Roux moved into the top 10 on Harding's all-time singles wins list Thursday morning, but the Lady Bisons fell 4-3 to Henderson State in their Great American Conference opener at the Burns Park Tennis Center.

The match, relocated from Searcy due to weather, saw the Lady Bisons (3-11, 0-1 GAC) push the Reddies to the final courts in a tightly contested start to league play.

Roux Reaches Milestone

Ranked No. 26 in the nation, Roux continued her dominant spring at the No. 1 singles position by defeating Kristina Kozlova in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. The victory was the 66th career singles win for the Cape Town, South Africa, native, moving her into a tie with Beatriz Arvizu (1992-96) for 10th place in Harding women's tennis history.

Boylu, Hosking Secure Wins

Harding found additional success in the middle and bottom of the lineup. At No. 3 singles, Ece Boylu earned a convincing 6-1, 6-3 victory over Adiya Abdugappar. The win marked Boylu's third straight-sets victory in dual action this season.

At the No. 6 flight, Mia Hosking reached a personal milestone of her own. Hosking earned a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Lily Winter to record the first dual singles win of her career.

Doubles Battle

The Lady Bisons opened the day with a statement at the top of the lineup. In a clash of nationally ranked tandems, Harding's No. 6-ranked duo of Roux and Brooke Coffman defeated Henderson State's No. 38-ranked pair of Emila Nowak and Jordan Parker, 6-4.

However, the Reddies (9-6, 1-0 GAC) secured the doubles point by taking the remaining two courts. The point was decided in a tiebreaker at the No. 2 position, where Henderson State's Jenna Bohnert and Adiya Abdugappar outlasted Boylu and Sofia Sarmiento Ruiz 7-6 (7-0).

Singles Results

While Roux, Boylu, and Hosking earned points for the Lady Bisons, Henderson State secured the team victory by taking the remaining three singles flights. Emila Nowak defeated Natalia Alvarez at No. 2, while the Reddies also picked up straight-set wins at No. 4 against Brooke Coffman and No. 5 against Sarmiento Ruiz to clinch the dual.

Up Next

The Lady Bisons return to action on Tuesday, April 7, traveling to Russellville to face Arkansas Tech. First serve against the Golden Suns is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Henderson State 4, Harding 3

Doubles Competition

1. #6 Karli Roux/Brooke Coffman (HU) def. #38 Emila Nowak/Jordan Parker (HSU) 6-4

2. Jenna Bohnert/Adiya Abdugappar (HSU) def. Ece Boylu/Sofia Sarmiento Ruiz (HU) 7-6 (7-0)

3. Angela Dorado/Kristina Kozlova (HSU) def. Mia Hosking/Paula Rega (HU) 6-3

Singles Competition

1. #26 Karli Roux (HU) def. Kristina Kozlova (HSU) 6-1, 6-1

2. Emila Nowak (HSU) def. Natalia Alvarez (HU) 6-0, 6-0

3. Ece Boylu (HU) def. Adiya Abdugappar (HSU) 6-1, 6-3

4. Angela Dorado (HSU) def. Brooke Coffman (HU) 6-1, 6-2

5. Jordan Parker (HSU) def. Sofia Sarmiento Ruiz (HU) 6-2, 6-3

6. Mia Hosking (HU) def. Lily Winter (HSU) 6-4, 6-3

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