BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Women's team defeated Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe Colorado State University- Pueblo 5-4 Friday afternoon.  The win is MSUB's first over CSUP since 2011. 
 
The Yellowjackets won two of the three doubles matches as the number one team of Morgan Opp and Madeline Loomis needed a comeback to win 9-8 as they took the match in a tie breaker at 8-8 (7-4).  MSUB's number two team, Mary Conwell and Emily Paffhausen also secured a victory as they won 8-4.  Marissa O'Connell and Hannah Shephard had a chance to complete the sweep of doubles as they were up in their number three match, but fell 7-9 to the Thunderwolves.
 
MSUB received wins from Opp at number one singles as she cruised to a 6-4, 6-3 victory and Loomis, playing number two, also flew past CSUP in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. 
 
"It was a great way to start off our conference play," Loomis said.  "We fought hard in doubles the entire time and had some awesome matches.  The last couple weeks we really focused on doubles and that showed through today.  Nerves got the best of us to start our doubles match, but once we settled down we got into a rhythm and came from behind for the win.  Overall as a team I thought we played well and fought hard.  I am very happy and can't wait for the rest of the season." 
 
Conwell provided the match clinching point as she dominated her number four match 6-1, 6-0.  Shephard fell 3-6, 1-6 at number three singles.  With the match clinched, Paffhausen and O'Connell played an eight game pro-set at number five and six singles respectively.  Paffhausen was defeated 4-8 and O'Connell lost 3-8. 
 
"Outstanding conference victory for the lady jackets," head coach Lew Kosich said.  "Two doubles wins could have easily been 3-0 as number 3 doubles lost 7-9.  We came on strong in singles with victories at number one, two and four.  Hopefully this match goes a long way towards building our confidence as individuals and a team as we move forward to play Metro and continued RMAC play."  
 
With the win, MSUB (1-5, 1-1 RMAC) moves into a tie for first place with CSUP in a very early conference race.  The Lady Yellowjackets will look to continue the trend as the host Metropolitan State University-Denver tomorrow at the Elks Tennis center with a start time of 9:00 AM.  Senior Maddie Loomis will be honored prior to the start of the match at 8:00 AM at the MSUB tennis bubble along with Kavindu Gamage of the men's team.    
 
 
Singles competition

1. Mogan Opp (MSUB) def. Toni Alvarez (CSUP) 6-4, 6-3

2. Madeline Loomis (MSUB) def. Sarah Coy (CSUP) 6-2, 6-4

3. Gia Montoya (CSUP) def. Hannah Shephard (MSUB) 6-3, 6-1

4. Mary Corwell (MSUB) def. Brooke Trevithick (CSUP) 6-1, 6-0

5. Teresa Haro (CSUP) def. Emily Paffhausen (MSUB) 8-4

6. Brittani Trevithick (CSUP) def. Marissa O'Connell (MSUB) 8-3
 
Doubles competition

1. Mogan Opp/Madeline Loomis (MSUB) def. Toni Alvarez/Sarah Coy (CSUP) 9-8 (7-4)

2. Mary Corwell/Emily Paffhausen (MSUB) def. Gia Montoya/Brooke Trevithick (CSUP) 8-4

3. Teresa Haro/Brittani Trevithick (CSUP) def. Hannah Shephard/Marissa O'Connell (MSUB) 9-7