With the Big 12 Conference schedule still weeks away, the Kansas tennis team began its 2005 season by knocking off nonconference opponent Illinois State 4-3 in Topeka on Saturday.

The Jayhawks earned the doubles point, registering wins in two of three matches. Juniors Christine Skoda and Luiza Loureiro defeated Laura Gravino and Ashley Maxwell, 8-2. Freshman tandem Stephanie Smith and Lauren Hommell helped Kansas take the point by knocking off Emilie Sechaud and Carolyn Parent, 8-6.

In the singles competition, the Jayhawks dug themselves a deep hole, losing the first three matches before winning four straight matches.

Sophomore Ashley Filberth, despite dropping the first set, came back to defeat Ashley Maxwell, 3-6, 7-5 and 6-2. Loureiro also beat Carolyn Parent in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (3) and 6-1.

With the score tied at three a piece, the final singles match was to determine the winner. Advantage, Stephanie Smith. Smith defeated Emilie Sechaud, 6-7, 6-4 and 6-3.

“I was very proud of the way our team played today,” said second-year coach Amy Hall-Holt. “We played with a lot of heart and we battled for every point.”

While acknowledging the victory, Hall-Holt knows that her young team has a lot of work still to do.

Kansas (1-0 overall, 0-0) will welcome a talented Brigham Young squad this Saturday to Kansas in a match in Overland Park. BYU is currently ranked No. 25 in the country, according to ITA team rankings. The match is set for 5 p.m.