DAYTON, Ohio  -  SIUE tennis opened the 2021 campaign with a resounding 6-1 road win over Dayton on Sunday afternoon.

The Cougars raced to an early lead, earning the doubles point with victories in the number-two and number-three positions.

"It was great to come out and get the doubles point," said Head Coach Adam Albertsen. "After a long period without competition, it was huge to calm the nerves."

The Cougars' No. 2 doubles duo of Melissa Vizcardo and Maria Thibault earned SIUE's first win of the match, while the No. 3 doubles duo of Caitlyn Sporing and Callaghan Adams secured the point with a 6-3 win over Dayton's duo of Kelly Pleiman and Sarah DeMarco.

"It was a strong first match and we were all really excited to compete as a team," said redshirt junior and Edwardsville native Callaghan Adams. "It was great to see the freshmen get their first win."

SIUE carried the early momentum into singles play, as five Cougars took down their opponents in straight sets.

Jill Lambrechts, the fourth-ranked player in the OVC, emerged victorious in the No.1 singles match, winning 7-6, 6-2 over Paige Kompa. Jordan Schifano followed with a 6-2, 6-2 win of her own in the No. 2 singles match. Following an SIUE loss in the No. 3 singles spot, the Cougars rattled off three consecutive victories to win the match - Fabiola Perez won in the No. 4 spot, taking down Kelly Pleiman, 6-1, 6-2; Nicole Gomez won her No. 5 singles match over Sarah DeMarco, 6-2, 6-2; and, Callaghan Adams notched the Cougars' final point of the match, knocking off Dayton's Natalie Stanton, 6-3, 6-0.

"I am so proud of this group," said Albertsen. "They have worked so hard to get back on the courts and it was great to see them play at a high level."

Albertsen also lauded the efforts of those who worked behind-the-scenes, commenting "We appreciate everything our administration, athletic trainers, and athletic performance staff have done to help us get here.

The Cougars will look to continue their winning ways this Saturday, as they are set to play host to Western Illinois. First serve is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.