The UIS women's tennis team opened its fall season at the Drury Invitational, competing in singles and doubles action against players from Missouri State, Rockhurst, Drury, Southwest Baptist and Evangel.

Niamh Grogan led the Prairie Stars in singles play, posting two wins during the opening day. She defeated Evangel's Hennessey Brown 6-0, 6-1 before earning a three-set victory over Rockhurst's Elisa Nunez, 6-4, 5-7, 10-4. Grogan also teamed with Grace Lampman in doubles, where the duo opened with a 6-4 win over Rockhurst's Elisoa Andriantefihasina and Parmida Kalali.

Grogan and Lampman added another doubles victory on Sunday, defeating Drury's Franca Piaggi and Dicle Izgi 6-2 before falling 6-2 to Missouri State's Andejliia Markovic and Martina Medina.

Jane Carter also recorded a pair of singles victories during the tournament. After falling to Rockhurst's Nadia Kaewsai 6-2, 6-2, Carter defeated Evangel's Hennessy Brown 8-1. She also teamed with Linea Lyndsgard-Broddfelt in doubles, with the pair earning a 6-0 win over Drury's Emma Neidig and Brooklyn Acuff on the second day.

Lyndsgard-Broddfelt added a singles win of her own, defeating Drury's Ina Belche 8-3. She and Carter later dropped a 7-5 decision to Missouri State's Elsie Jackson and Iris Alvarez.

Brianna Bryant earned a singles victory over Drury's Emma Neidig, winning 7-5, 6-4. Bryant also teamed with Olivia Sibbering in doubles, with the freshman pair earning a 6-3 win over Drury's Fabiana Gutierrez-Perez and Carla Rivera .

Sibbering and Bryant went on to fall 6-3 to Missouri State's Elsie and Iris on the second day. Sibbering also competed in singles, falling to Rockhurst's Elsie Nunn 6-1, 6-2 before dropping an 8-0 match to a Missouri State duo.

Lampman opened the tournament with a pair of singles losses, falling to Missouri State's Marielou Baudovin 6-3, 6-1 and Southwest Baptist's Camilla Franzin 8-2. She also partnered with Grogan for the two doubles wins.

Alisha Deogaonkar competed in singles action, falling to Drury's Fabiana Gutierrez 2-6, 6-1, 10-6 after receiving a first-round bye.

"Our teams had a great first day of competition," said head coach Henrique Leal on Saturday. "The tournament is strong, with three of the best teams in the GLVC, and all of our freshmen got their first collegiate wins. We have Niamh representing us in the singles final of her flight, and all of our women made the semifinals for their flights of doubles."

"Sunday was another great day of competition. We had two women's teams in the finals of their flights in doubles. It was a very strong start to the season, and I'm very excited to see what we can achieve."

The Drury Invitational marked the first competition of the fall for the Prairie Stars, who will next play at the ITA Regional on Oct. 10-12.