BOZEMAN, Mont. -- The University of North Dakota women's tennis team opened up the championship portion of the 2023-24 season on Friday morning, dropping a 4-3 decision to Montana State in Bozeman, Mont. 

UND (0-1) jumped out to the 1-0 lead with a pair of strong performances in doubles action. After falling on the No. 3 court, UND's top pair of Sapir Sela and Andrea Jansson brought two-person play level with a 6-3 victory before Nore Heinitz and Jule Schulte secured the 1-0 advantage for the visitors by a 6-2 score at the No. 2 position. 

Montana State (1-0) rattled off back-to-back wins on the top pair of courts to jump in front by a 2-1 score before Jansson fell in a tightly-contested three setter to give MSU the 3-1 lead. The Bobcats clinched the victory at the No. 6 position, but Heinitz and Schulte both battled back from losses in the opening set to win in three and close out the day with some momentum. 

North Dakota remains in action tomorrow morning for a neutral site match against Seattle at 10 a.m. from Bozeman. 

For more information on North Dakota women's tennis, follow on social media @UNDwtennis or visit FightingHawks.com.