HILTON HEAD, S.C. – SIUE women's tennis closed out the nonconference schedule Thursday with a 4-0 neutral site loss to South Carolina State at Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort.

The Cougars won one of the three doubles matches with Margaux Guibal Britt and Stefaniya Anikina winning at No. 2 doubles over Nalanda Teixeria and Teodora Vujici 6-1. However, South Carolina State grabbed the other two doubles matches for the double point.

South Carolina State, 5-4, used its momentum to take three singles matches needed to capture the team victory.

SIUE, however, was pushing hard as Anikina was winning at No. 5 singles and at match point when South Carolina State secured the win. Chloe Koons also won her first set at No. 6 singles but did not complete her match. Payton Tomichek dropped a heartbreaking first-set tiebreaker at No. 3 singles in a hard-fought matchup.

With the nonconference schedule complete, SIUE now turns its attention toward Ohio Valley Conference play. The Cougars open OVC action March 21st at home against Lindenwood. Match time is scheduled for 2 p.m.