Photo by Jake McNeill
Joana Reis Indio winds up to return a serve in the first set of her singles match Friday against MSU Moorhead
MARSHALL – Coming into the season, Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota State University at Moorhead were closely ranked, with SMSU coming in at No. 4 and MSU Moorhead at No. 6 in the preseason coaches poll. Friday, however, the Mustangs looked like the far better team in their 5-2 home win in which they won each of the first three matches.
Joana Reis Indio gave SMSU its first doubles and first singles win of the season. In the first doubles match, Indo and Courtenay Leonard dropped the first game before winning six in a row to win the match 6-1. Indio’s singles match went similarly-Indio pulled out a 6-4 win in a back-and-fourth first set before pulling away in a 6-3 second set that never seemed like the result was in doubt.
“She’s a fighter. She does play with a lot of intensity, and as you can see, it kind of rubs off on the other courts,” SMSU head coach Jon Parker said. “That’s why we love having her on the team. She’s kind of our spark plug.”
Across the court, Faith Madikwe and Daniela Paulakidas made an impressive comeback in the second doubles match. After trailing 3-1, the duo won four of the next five games against the Dragons to take a 5-4 lead before finally clinching the match with a 7-5 win.
“Our kids have a lot of nerves,” Parker said on his team’s tendency throughout the day to start slow and then battle back. “I’d attribute it to this being the first home match of the year, a lot of people were here.”
With two more matches to play this weekend, Parker said his team will definitely settle down as they get into their grove.
Leonard lost the first set of her singles match 6-1, but didn’t back down in the second set. She lost 7-5, but never seemed like she was out of it. Particularly in the second set, Leonard rarely lost a quick point. She’d force long rallies, but was just unable to come away with a point.
Camila Paccieri visibly seemed to gain confidence as her match progressed, walking away from her first set with a 7-5 win before putting on a 6-0 masterclass in the second set.
Peyton-Lynn Anderson won her singles match in straight sets, 6-4, 5-7.
Roz Oye played a close match throughout, but fell 7-5, 6-4.
SMSU plays their next game today at 9 a.m. at home against University of Nebraska-Kearny. While the Lopers are a higher ranked team, the Mustangs are excited to get the opportunity to compete and show what they’re made of, Parker said.
“We probably have nothing to lose, so more than likely, the kids are going to be fired up for the match,” Parker said.