The UIS women's tennis team opened GLVC action with a 4-3 victory at McKendree on Friday afternoon.

The Prairie Stars jumped out early by securing the doubles point. At No. 1 doubles, Niamh Grogan and Ema Norma Bordean earned a 6-2 win. The No. 3 pairing of Jane Carter and Cristina Mendoza Romero followed with a 6-1 victory. At No. 2 doubles, Alisha Deogaonkar and Maria Garcia Gama fell 6-1.

Singles play went down to the wire, with UIS picking up three key wins to clinch the match. At No. 2 singles, Cristina Mendoza Romero battled through a three-set win, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. Jane Carter delivered at No. 5 singles with a 6-4, 6-2 straight-set victory. Maria Garcia Gama also picked up a win at No. 6, taking her match 6-3, 6-3.

Ema Norma Bordean fell at No. 1 singles, 7-6, 6-1. Niamh Grogan dropped a tight three-set match at No. 4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. Alisha Deogaonkar also came up short in a third-set battle at No. 3, 6-3, 6-7, 7-5.

"What an unbelievable win for the women," said head coach Henrique Leal. "They showed so much toughness and determination. They were resilient from start to finish and stuck together from the first point of doubles to the last point of singles. I'm really proud of the development of this team, on and off the court. Doubles once again proved to be the decisive factor in the match. It was awesome to see two freshmen step up to clinch it at No. 5 and No. 6."

UIS is set to play UIndy on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET in Indianapolis.