KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's tennis opened Mid-American Conference play with a 4-3 win over the defending MAC Champions, Miami, at West Hills Athletic Club on Friday afternoon.
 
With the match tied at 3-3 it came down to the No. 2 singles match between WMU's Lindsey Zieglar and MU's Milana Lysova. Lysova took the first set 6-2, having been up 5-0 at one point. Zieglar rebounded to win 6-2 in the second set and then finished off her match and clinching the victory for the team with a 6-3 win in the third.
 
"Lindsey is a heck of a competitor," said head coach Ryan Tomlinson. "I knew she would find a way to get back in the match and she did. I mean to come out and clinch your first conference match is a big deal." Freshman Maya Perkucin continued her great start to the season to tie it up at 3-3. She won the first set over Lena Babunski, 6-2, but stumbled in the second and fell 4-6. The Toronto, Ontario rebounded in the third, winning 6-1.
 
All three of WMU's wins in singles came in three sets. Freshman Ana Guadiana was the other winner. The Monterrey, Mexico, native opened with a 7-5 win over Sofia Zaprianov. Zaprianov responded with a 6-3 win before Guadiana finished the third set off 6-3.
 
Western Michigan secured the crucial doubles point by winning at No. 2 and No. 3. Karin Hamilton and Kristina Tiraspolsky defeated Melati Devi and Makenzie Myers, 6-3 at No. 2. Zieglar and Kaitlyn Rogosh won at No. 3 over Lena Babunski and Zaprianov, 6-4.
 
"We had five singles players playing their first conference match today and four first-timers in the doubles lineup," added Tomlinson. "Today was a tremendous team win. Miami has been the class of our conference over the years, they are well coached and know how to win. Every match in our conference will be a battle, there is so much parody from top to bottom. We need to come with the same toughness and persistence we had today against a very talented Bowling Green team on Sunday."
 
The Broncos host the Falcons on Sunday at 1 p.m.