Boardman - The Youngstown State women's tennis team battled all evening, but came up short in their Horizon League opener dropping a 4-3 decision to UIC on Friday night at the Boardman Tennis Center.

The Penguins (6-8 overall and 0-1 in the Horizon League) fought back after losing the doubles point to win three singles matches, but the Flames (10-4, 1-0) were able to claim the victory.

In the first singles match to conclude, Sofia Macias picked up a straight set win, before the Flames won their first match which came at No. 6. 

UIC then won at No. 5 before the Penguins claimed the next two wins to tie the contest at three. Noelly Nsimba won in straight sets at No. 2 while Dominika Lackova rallied from a 6-1 first-set defeat to win in three sets earning 6-1, 6-3 wins in the final two sets.

The decisive match was at No. 4 and Nehel Sahni pushed it to a third set after dropping the opening frame. In the third, Sahni led 4-2, but lost the set 6-4 as the Flames claimed the dual match victory.

YSU is back in action on Saturday when it plays host to Valparaiso at the Boardman Tennis Center. First serve is set for 6 p.m.