Both tennis teams hosted their first MIAA match of the season each on Thursday afternoon. The women's team rebounded off its loss to the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a grinding victory over Emporia State in which went down to the last match to decide the result. The men's side won two matches, but the Hornets prevailed by a final score of 7-2.
 
The Lady Lions fell behind after doubles finished up. Diana Castro and Rebeca Aguilar came away with the lone victory in doubles as they dominated 8-3 at No. 3. In singles, three matches went to the third set. Aguilar took care of business at No. 6 by a 6-0, 6-0 rout. Diana Castro bounced back with a surging 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 4 after falling in the first set 6-1. Gloria Marras was down 5-4 in the third set until she battled back in the next three games to take the crucial win for the Lady Lions. Daria Ivanova, as she did against Southern Indiana earlier this season, was the tiebreaking match and came in clutch with a straight-set 7-5, 6-1 victory to give the Lady Lions their fifth win of the season.
 
On the men's side, Filip Bogic won both of his matches which turned out to be the only ones for the Lions. He paired up with Naoufal El Idrissi at No. 1 doubles and stormed through their opponents by a score of 8-1. Bogic then kept his foot on the gas as he routed his opponent at No. 1 singles by a score of 6-1, 6-1. Theo Butaeye and Slobodan Bavrlic each had a tiebreaker in their matches at No. 3 and 5 singles respectively, but both fell. El Idrissi battled tough at No. 2, but lost two close sets 7-5, 7-5.
 
Both teams will hit the road on Friday to play in Cleveland, Miss. on Saturday to play against Delta State. Matches will start at noon.