Lyles wraps up historic victory in Lady Cajun tennis

<blockquote><p align=justify>Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns women's tennis team won its first Sun Belt match since 2001 with a 4-3 win over Arkansas State here at Cajun Courts today.

Sophomore Kimmie Lyles had the match clinching set as she defeated Ashlesha Lokhande 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. Lyles battle back from down 3-0 in the final set to clinch the match.

The last Cajuns' victory against a Sun Belt Conference team came on April 21, 2001. That team defeated New Mexico State in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

The Cajuns started the day with a strong showing in doubles as the team of Thais Bortoletto and Celine VanWeydeveld defeated Maria Oprea and Karen Saravia 8-4. Lyles was again a part of a winning situation as she and doubles partner Susan Linden defeated Renee Branker and Lokhande 8-6 to win the doubles point.

"I'm so happy and really proud of these girls,'' associate head coach Lisa Jackson said.

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In singles, VanWeydeveld and Bortoletto provided the other two points for the Cajuns as they defeated Oprea and Saravia 6-2, 6-3 and 6-1, 6-2, respectively.

"We are going to refocus and get ready to play tomorrow,'' Jackson said.

The win pushes to Cajuns record to 5-7 and stops a two-game losing skid.

The team returns to action tomorrow as they take on the University of North Texas in an early morning match. Play starts at 9 a.m. and the Cajuns will look to make it two Sun Belt victories in a row.

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Earlier in the season Kimmie Lyles looks on as teammate posts win. <br>vs Arkansas State her teammates watched her win.