The Lady Blues took a step back after earning their first true win of the season against Lincoln University.

The Lady Blues traveled down the Kansas Turnpike to face-off with the Hornets of Emporia State University. The Blues fought hard but could only come away with two wins, falling 7-2 to the Hornets.

Freshmen Gwen Shepler and Nzingha Banks were beaten 8-3 in No. 3 doubles to ESU’s Somer Schmidt and Tiffany Khounsombath. In an intense match, the dynamic duo of junior Sophie  O’Neill and sophomore Casyn Buchman were unable to come away with a victory in No. 2 doubles. Kayla Fraley and Alex Crowe of ESU managed tp fend off Buchman and O’Neill, winning 9-7. 

Freshmen Jodie Blackim and Kirsten Holle got the Blues in the win column, winning 8-5 in No. 1 doubles. Washburn was unable to keep the momentenum going into singles play.

Schmidt defeated Washburn sophomore Rachael Hageman 6-0, 6-4 in No. 6 singles play. Shepler couldn’t get past Crowe in No. 5 singles, losing 6-3, 6-1. Holle was almost able to get her second win on the day, narrowly losing 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to ESU’s Jennifer Gerhardt.

The Lady Blues got their second win from Buchman, who is making her return back to action after spending the last few months with the Washburn basketball team. Buchman spanked Khounsombath in No. 3 singles, 6-1, 6-2. 

Blackim was less fortunate in No. 2 singles. The freshman from Oklahoma couldn’t carry over her success from doubles play, losing 6-2, 6-0 to Taylor Smith. 

After much success the last couple of matches, O’Neill hit a rough patch. She was defeated 6-0, 6-4 in No. 1 singles. Washburn (1-11, 1-4 MIAA) will host Midwestern State University 2 p.m. Friday at Washburn’s Tennis Complex.