Lady Indians pick up five wins to open the NJCAA National Tourney
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com

TUCSON, AZ – The Lady Indians didn't get the easiest draw to open the 2015 NJCAA Women's DI National Tennis Tournament, but they were able to notch five wins in the grueling desert heat against some of the most tradition-rich programs from all across the country on Sunday.

Kacey Byrd (Saltillo) got the Lady Indians moving in the right direction with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Sydney Brummett of Seminole State College (OK) in the opening round of the No. 6 singles championship bracket before Ivy Robbins (Pontotoc) cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Julie Sibbeson of Harford Community College (MD) in No. 3 singles action.

The No. 18 Lady Indians battled through the late-afternoon desert heat to sweep doubles play to close out the first day of the tournament.

The No. 3 tandem of Madison Scott (Mooreville) and Andria Barnes (Mooreville) defeated Christian Long and Jessica VanOosten of Sauk Valley Community College (IL) 6-1, 6-1 while the No. 1 duo of Taylor Patterson (Munford, TN) and Aliesha Hudson (Yazoo) took care of Cassandra McElroy and Maria Morales-Nelson of Elgin Community College (IL).

The No. 2 twosome of Robbins and Anna Claire Griffin (Iuka) advanced to the Round of 16 after the team from Eastern Arizona Community College forfeited their match due to an injury.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DAY 1 RESULTS FOR THE LADY INDIANS  

The Lady Indians will look to build on their opening-day momentum when they retake the courts for the second day of tournament play at 7:30 a.m. at the Jim Reffkin Tennis Center.

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