JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Minnesota State tennis excelled in doubles to outlast the University of Mary Marauders 5-2 Friday morning at Two Rivers Aquatic Center in NSIC play.
 
"I was really happy with our doubles play today. I think it was our best performance of the spring so far," said head coach Drew Hawthorne. "The changes we've made as a team and the extra work in practice is paying off."
 
Senior McKenna DeMarce and Freshman Julia Gurholt improved to 5-2 this season with a win at No. 1 over Elizabeth Lekse and Natalia Jorge Mazaro 6-4. Alma Vazquez and Lucie Sliskova earned a 6-3 win at No. 2 over Anna Sueflohn and Josie Sueflohn 6-3, and Taina Cordeiro and Amanda Blanco-Epple picked up a 6-2 set over Brooke Mulholland and Maja Panganiban.
 
Gurholt and Demarce both posted straight set wins at No. 1 and No. 2 singles for the Mavericks. Cordeiro also prevailed 6-4 in the third set at No. 6 singles over Brooke Mulholland.
 
"UMary challenged us in singles," Hawthorne said. "We need to find a way to win three-set matches. We'll work on staying confident in our shots in high-pressure situations. McKenna played an excellent singles match. I'm proud of how strongly she started. She brought a lot of energy from the moment she walked on the court.
 
DeMarce is now 5-2 in singles this spring for MSU. Minnesota State (5-2, 4-0 NSIC) continues at University of Jamestown (2-3, 2-2) Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT.

SCORES
Doubles
1. MSU (McKenna DeMarce/Julia Gurholt) def. UMARY (Elizabeth Lekse/Natalia Jorge Mazaro) 6-4
2. MSU (Lucie Sliskova/Alma Vazquez) def. UMARY (Josie Sueflohn/Anna Sueflohn) 6-3
3. MSU (Taina Cordeiro/Amanda Blanco-Epple) def. UMARY (Brooke Mulholland/Maja Panganiban) 6-2

Singles
1. MSU (Julia Gurholt) def. UMARY (Natalia Jorge Mazaro) 6-3, 6-2
2. MSU (McKenna DeMarce) def. UMARY (Elizabeth Lekse) 6-0, 6-4
3. UMARY (Josie Sueflohn) def. MSU (Lucie Sliskova) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
4. UMARY (Anna Sueflohn) def. MSU (Alma Vazquez) 7-6, 1-6, 6-4
5. MSU (Amanda Blanco-Epple) def. UMARY (Maja Panganiban) 6-2, 6-4
6. MSU (Taina Cordeiro) def. UMARY (Brooke Mulholland) 6-0, 4-6, 6-4