The women’s tennis team took its skills inside Saturday as it went head-to-head against Missouri Western State University in the first match of the spring season.

The ‘Cats faced tough competition as they went up against Division II team and in the end, the women were unable to grab a win, losing 5-4.

“I think everybody did really well for it being our first match, and it was indoors, so it was a little bit different than it being outdoors, but I think we played really well,” sophomore Breezy Mangan said.

Coach Kelsey Stephens was only allowed to take a portion of her lineup, but the athletes that were able to compete fought hard.

“Overall, we did very well, far exceeding expectations,” coach Bruce Anderson said. “The women went 4-5 against them, so they did lose but they only lost by one match, and we had to forfeit a match because of an injury.”

Mangan suffered the injury. She just recovered from a knee injury last season, but re-injured the same knee during her doubles match with teammate Ali Stephens. <br/>"I had my meniscus repaired over Christmas break, and when I was playing doubles, I don't know if I re-tore it, but I'm going to the doctor … so I guess I will find out soon," Mangan said."I had my meniscus repaired over Christmas break, and when I was playing doubles, I don't know if I re-tore it, but I'm going to the doctor … so I guess I will find out soon," Mangan said.
“I had my meniscus repaired over Christmas break, and when I was playing doubles, I don’t know if I re-tore it, but I’m going to the doctor … so I guess I will find out soon,” Mangan said.

Mangan was scheduled for an MRI Wednesday and will receive results from the test Friday.

With a possibly serious injury, the women’s team is facing the chance of losing one of its top athletes.

“She is really important to the team, of course,” Anderson said. “She plays No. 1 doubles, and she was in the lineup at No. 2 singles over the weekend. So we are all crossing our fingers for Breezy.”

This isn’t the first hit to the women’s team. With the loss of former head coach Rick Walsh, the team starts the spring season with Kelsey Stephens, a former Wildcat, in the coaching spot.

“Well, with a new coach for the spring, we are just taking it as it comes,” junior Jen Ackerly said. “We are working our tails off right now, and we are basically just going to try and give it all we’ve got.”

Both the women’s and men’s teams will face Lindenwood University at 1 p.m. Saturday at home in their first conference match of the spring season.