MACOMB, Ill. -- The Omaha women's tennis team was back in action Saturday afternoon against Summit League foe Western Illinois, defeating the Leathernecks 4-3 in a thriller at the WIU Tennis Facility. With the win, the Mavericks improve to 4-8 (2-2 Summit League) on the season, while the Leathernecks move to 1-12 (0-3 Summit League).

The Mavericks began the day by nabbing the doubles point. UNO's duo of senior Jacqueline Baude and sophomore Rebecca Stafford defeated Courtney Lubbers and Jenna Wallace 8-6 at No. 1 doubles to begin the day. At No. 2, sophomore Kenzie Hill and junior Molly Matricardi followed suit by topping Leatherneck duo Arianna Demos and Nicole Jones, 8-5. The third doubles match was not played due to the Leathernecks only having five players, and Omaha took a 1-0 advantage into singles play.

Sophomore Maddie Holscher scored a point for the Mavericks by default to begin singles competition, as the Leathernecks did not have a sixth player. At No. 5 singles, sophomore Allison Johnson defeated Andriana Johnson, 6-2, 6-3. At that point, UNO held a 3-0 lead but was challenged in the next three positions.

Baude was slotted in the No. 1 singles position for the second time this season, falling 7-5, 6-3 to Lubbers. Hill played her first match of the year at No. 3 but was defeated by Demos 6-4, 6-4, and the Mavs saw their 3-0 lead shrink to 3-2. At the No. 4 position, Stafford battled against Nicole Jones but fell 6-3, 6-4, tying the match at 3-3.

The final match of the day to finish was the deciding factor of the contest. Matricardi returned to the No. 2 singles spot and was victorious in her match, earning a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Wallace to seal Omaha's 4-3 win.

UNO returns to action on Tuesday, March 24, heading south to play Nova Southeastern in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

OMAHA 4, WESTERN ILLINOIS 3
Singles
1. Courtney Lubbers (WIU) def. Jacqueline Baude (UNO) 7-5, 6-3
2. Molly Matricardi (UNO) def. Jenna Wallace (WIU) 6-4, 6-4
3. Arianna Demos (WIU) def. Kenzie Hill (UNO) 6-4, 6-4
4. Nicole Jones (WIU) def. Rebecca Stafford (UNO) 6-3, 6-4
5. Allison Johnson (UNO) def. Andriana Johnson (WIU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Maddie Holscher (UNO) def. No player (WIU), by default

Doubles
1. Jacqueline Baude/Rebecca Stafford (UNO) def. Courtney Lubbers/Jenna Wallace (WIU) 8-6
2. Kenzie Hill/Molly Matricardi (UNO) def. Arianna Demos/Nicole Jones (WIU) 8-5
3. Maddie Holscher/Allison Johnson (UNO) def. No player/No player (WIU), by default