HUNTSVILLE - Western Michigan handed Sam Houston State a 4-3 non-conference women's tennis dual match loss Friday in a contest that lasted more than five hours.

The match was originally scheduled for Saturday but was moved up a day due to the threat of rain on the original playing date.

Federica Denti, Giorgia Pozzan and Tatyana Postnikova won the number 1, 2 and 3 singles, but the Bearkats dropped the doubles point in a pair of close pro sets at number 1 and 3 and lost the bottom three singles matches.

Maria Nivia of Western Michigan picked up the decisive fourth point in a 2-6 7-6 7-5 thriller at No. 4 singles over Nadia Dubyanskaya.

Tennis Match Results

Western Michigan vs Sam Houston State

3/19/2010 at Huntsville, TX

Western Michigan 4, Sam Houston State 3

Singles competition:

1. Federica Denti (SHSU) def. Emily Dudzik (WMU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

2. Giorgia Pozzan (SHSU) def. Maggie Remynse (WMU) 6-4, 6-2

3. Tatyana Postnikova (SHSU) def. Amanda Moccia (WMU) 7-5, 5-7, 6-3

4. Maria Nivia (WMU) def. Nadia Dubyanskaya (SHSU) 2-6, 7-6, 7-5

5. Yumi Matsuto (WMU) def. Sheridan Currie (SHSU) 7-6, 6-2

6. Jill Pastunink (WMU) def. Cally Woerner (SHSU) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition:

1. Emily Dudzik/Maggie Remynse (WMU) def. Federica Denti/Giorgia Pozzan (SHSU) 8-6

2. Nadia Dubyanskaya/Tatyana Postnikova (SHSU) def April Kerr/Amanda Moccia (WMU) 8-7

3. Yumi Matsuto/Maria Nivia (WMU) def. Sheridan Currie/Cally Woerner (SHSU) 8-1