ABILENE, Texas – South Dakota women's tennis battled tough playing conditions as well as a difficult opponent to open its southern spring break trip on Tuesday, suffering a 4-2 loss at Abilene Christian.
 
The Coyotes (2-3) won the doubles point, but could not carry that momentum over into singles play on a hot, humid and windy afternoon.
 
"Tough match for us today," coach Brett Barnett said. "Credit to Abilene Christian for playing good in singles. 
 
"Conditions were tough, slow, hot and really windy."
 
Habiba Aly and Natka Kmoskova claimed a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles while Yulia Almiron Solano and Agustina Diaz were 6-4 winners at No. 3 doubles.
 
South Dakota, though, only won one of the five singles matches that were completed.
 
Berta Girbau posted a 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles while Aly, playing No. 1 singles for the first time this season, was leading her match 7-5, 4-4 when it was halted.
 
"Really happy how we played doubles against a team that's won a ton of doubles points this year," said Barnett. "Slow starts in singles doomed us. 
 
"We fought and stayed out there but couldn't get a match to split. Really good performances by Biba and Berta again in singles."