SMU defeated Sam Houston 7-0 in a non-conference women's tennis match Friday at the SMU Tennis Center in Dallas.

But Bearkat coach saw improved play from his young 2015 Bearkat squad in the five days since the squad's season opening loss to UT-Pan American Sunday.

“We played so much better today than last Sunday,” Giachino said. “We were much stronger mentally and played much more tactical tennis on all courts. It's never fun to lose but the team's growth in just one week was excellent.”

Senior Karen Martinez split sets at number five singles with Mary Wright, forcing a super tiebreaker to decid the winner. Wright won 7-5 4-6 1-0 (10-5).

The Kats' other senior Olivia Battye took SMU's No. 1 player Hristina Dishkova to 7-5 in the first set before dropping the second set 6-1.

The contest was the opening match of the year for SMU as the Mustangs extended their series record with Sam Houston in women's tennis to 5-0.

The Bearkats will return to action Friday February 6 with a 1 p.m. dual match against Texas-San Antonio at the McAdams Tennis Center in Huntsville.

Complete results from Friday's action at SMU: 

Tennis Match Results
Sam Houston State vs SMU
Jan 30, 2015 at Dallas, Texas

SMU 7, Sam Houston State 0

Doubles competition
1. Vaszilisza Bulgakova/Dasha Sharapova (SMU) vs. Olivia Battye/Karen Martinez (SHSU) unfinished
2. Hristina Dishkova/Holly Verner (SMU) def. Mila Milanovic/Maddie Mortimore (SHSU) 6-3
3. Yana Erkeeva/Mary Wright (SMU) def. Fabienne Gettwart/Bailey VanDyke (SHSU) 6-3 

Singles competition
1. Hristina Dishkova (SMU) def. Olivia Battye (SHSU) 7-5, 6-1
2. Anna Kate Anderson (SMU) def. Fabienne Gettwart (SHSU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Bailey VanDyke (SHSU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Vaszilisza Bulgakova (SMU) def. Mila Milanovic (SHSU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Mary Wright (SMU) def. Karen Martinez (SHSU) 7-5, 4-6, 10-5
6. Holly Verner (SMU) def. Maddie Mortimore (SHSU) 6-3, 6-3

Match Notes:
Records: Sam Houston State 0-2l SMU 1-0
Time of match: 2:22