Western Kentucky’s women’s tennis team beat Tennessee State 6-1 on Monday at the Warren County Tennis Facility at Michael O. Buchanon Park.

The Lady Toppers claimed the doubles point for the sixth time this season with wins from Barbara Olvera/Virginia Madueño and Isabelle Einess/Elizabeth Sobieski, before picking up singles wins at the No. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 positions from Einess, Madueño, Andra Sirbu, Olvera and Ariadna Fernandez to improve to 8-6 this season with the victory over the Tigers (0-6).

“Good win for us. I think this is eight out of the last 11 matches after we started off 0-3 this year,” WKU coach Greg Davis said in a news release. “To go 8-3 in the next 11 matches – we’re starting to play better. I really think we’ve still got a lot left in the tank. I think we can still improve another 30-40% between now and the end of the season, so that’s exciting. That part of it is very exciting.

“Some really difficult matches ahead coming up, one being Ball State coming in here Thursday. They’re a team that has good wins over Cincinnati and Cornell so far this season. They’re an extremely good team. Then, the following week, to have Sam Houston coming in – our first conference match – that’s going to be difficult. These next two matches are going to be a real test.”

Olvera and Madueño improved to 7-5 together in doubles this season and 5-4 at the No. 2 position. Einess and Sobieski improved to 4-2 together in doubles this season. The duo has won the last four matches they have completed together and are now 3-0 at the No. 3 position.

Einess improved to 8-5 in singles play this season, with all matches being played at the No. 1 position. Madueño claimed her 11th straight singles win to improve to 12-1 overall this season and in her college career. The true freshman is now 2-0 at the No. 3 position.

“I try to have fun in every match and just keep fighting until the end, and supporting my team,” Madueño said. “I think that’s the best.”

Sirbu is now 8-6 in singles this season after her win Monday, including 2-0 at the No. 4 position.

“Staying calm was one of the things, going out there and competing and fighting and being present on the court and active,” Sirbu said.

Olvera improved to 8-5 with her fourth straight win. She is 5-1 from the No. 5 position. Fernandez moved to 8-5 in singles this season and has wins in back-to-back matches. She is 7-4 from the No. 6 position.

The Lady Toppers are now 52-31 in singles matches this season. WKU is 6-3 at home this season and are 3-1 in the current six-match homestand. The Lady Tops have wins over Butler, Belmont and Tennessee State during the stretch. WKU is now 34-1 all-time against Tennessee State with 29 straight wins against the Tigers.

The Lady Toppers will play Ball State on Thursday in the fifth match of a six-match homestand. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Warren County Tennis Facility.

Singles (Order of finish: 5,6,1,4,3,2)
1. Isabelle Einess (WKU) def. Julie Tungamarial (TSU) 6-2, 6-0
2. Victoria Cooksey (TSU) def. Emily Schut (WKU) 6-4, 3-6, 10-7
3. Virginia Madueño (WKU) def. Natalie Walsh (TSU) 6-0, 1-6, 10-6
4. Andra Sirbu (WKU) def. A. Arrieta Castillo (TSU) 6-4, 6-0
5. Barbara Olvera (WKU) def. Claudia Murdasanu (TSU) 6-3, 4-0, retired
6. Ariadna Fernandez (WKU) def. Taylor Ellis (TSU) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles (Order of finish: 2,1,3)
1. Claudia Murdasanu/Victoria Cooksey (TSU) def. Emily Schut/Andra Sirbu (WKU) 6-1
2. Virginia Madueño/Barbara Olvera (WKU) def. Natalie Walsh/Julie Tungamarial (TSU) 6-0
3. Isabelle Einess/Elizabeth Sobieski (WKU) def. Taylor Ellis/A. Arrieta Castillo (TSU) 6-4