CLINTON, Iowa - Missouri Baptist women's tennis posted one singles victory against a very deep Ashford University squad, dropping its season opener, 8-1, on Saturday.

The Spartans played very well at times, but could not quite play to the level of the talented Ashford group. After dropping its first two doubles matches, Missouri Baptist had a chance to take the third match. The team of Nicole Zevlever and Kristen Roberts were edged out by Ashford's Sarah Vach ans Sami Melcher, 7-9.

The Saints went on to win five of six singles matches from there-on. MBU's Zevlever was the only exception in singles play. The freshman from Parkway West won in a tiebreak set to put the Spartans on the board.

This is the first season of competition for the Saints, who have now begun the year 1-0. Missouri Baptist will now head into another difficult competition against McKendree University on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Belleville, Ill.