OMAHA, Neb. -- In what Coach Mike Johnson described as a "must-win" scenario, the College of Saint Mary tennis team did just that, defeating Doane University 5-2 on Thursday afternoon in a Great Plains Athletic Conference match at the CSM Courts.

"With the heat on our back, we came up with the win in a must win situation. Not often you'll catch the Flames winning a match 5-2 while losing the No. 1 position, but that's what we did tonight. Renee Acena lost a tough match today but No. 2, 3, 4, and 6 singles came up huge after sweeping the doubles positions," said coach Johnson.

In picking up their first GPAC win of the year, CSM improves to 7-8 overall in 1-4 in league play. The Tigers fall to 7-11 overall and 0-3 in GPAC play.

Iyannah Pardiwalla picked up a thorough 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles and Miranda Swanson earned a straight-set victory, 6-2 and 6-3, at No. 4 singles.

Carolyna Truong needed three sets at No. 3 singles but ultimately took the win 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

At No. 6 singles, Blake McDowall took the first set 6-1 before falling 6-4 in the second. She battled back after falling behind 1-6, to win her tie-breaker 10-8.

Acena suffered just her second singles loss of the spring, falling 6-4 and 6-3 at the No. 1 spot. Darece Van Auken fell at No. 5 by scores of 6-2 and 6-3.

Coach Johnson lauded the "great performances by Iyannah, Lyna, and Miranda especially! They figured out how to pull ahead and hold on in tough, windy conditions."

In doubles action the duo of Acena and Pardiwalla picked up a convincing 6-2 win at No. 1 while Truong and Swanson, at No. 2, also posted a 6-2 victory. Van Auken and McDowall prevailed 7-5 to complete the sweep.

"After playing four matches in the last five days, the team will take a nice rest from match play until over the weekend."

The Flames next travel to Seward, Neb. on Monday, Apr. 15 for a 5 p.m. match at Concordia University.