EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.— The SIUE tennis team defeated Illinois State 4-3 on Friday to remain undefeated at home.

The Cougars improve to 6-1 on the season. The team has already matched their number of wins from last season with the win over Illinois State.

"This a great win for our team," commented Head Tennis Coach Adam Albertsen. "Illinois State is a strong squad with a lot of experience."

The Cougars started off doubles play strong with a win at No. 2 doubles. The duo of Callaghan Adams and Melissa Vizcardo defeated Elena Jankulovska and Laura Fitzgerald 6-2.

The team would then fall in both No. 1 and No. 3 doubles.

Despite being down 1-0, and battling through a hard fought battle in doubles play, the team stormed back to win the first singles match.

In No. 3 singles, Vanessa Reinicke defeated Laura Fitzgerald 6-3, 6-0 to level out the score 1-1. Reinicke's win would improve her overall singles record to 12-0. The Cougars then dropped the No. 2 singles match 3-6, 2-6 falling behind the Redbirds 2-1.

Vizcardo defeated Jankulovska 6-3, 6-2 in No. 4 singles. This would once again even out the score at two all with three singles matches left in play.

In No. 1 singles, Jill Lambrechts defeated Tara Damnjanovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 for the Cougars first lead on the afternoon. The win would put the team up 3-2 with two matches left in play.

The team would secure the victory in No. 5 singles. Adams came back to defeat Ivon Mihaleva 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. Her win in No. 5 singles would clinch the match for the Cougars.

"I am so proud of this group," added Albertsen. "After a hard fought doubles, they were able to battle back in singles. Each one of our players has been working hard and it's great to see it pay off in a big match like this."

The team will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to take on Green Bay with first serve set for 11 a.m.