The Nebraska Wesleyan University women's tennis team defeated No. 20 Bethel University (Kan.) in a battle of ranked NAIA teams on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 16) giving the Prairie Wolves their first win of the 2013 season.

NWU, ranked No. 24 in the NAIA poll, got a 5-4 victory over Bethel to improve to 1-4 on the season as the Prairie Wolves have played an extremely tough schedule to start the season. Three of NWU's losses are to NCAA Division II schools, with the other loss coming to Division I Nebraska-Omaha.

Bethel won two of the three doubles matches to take an early lead. NWU won at No. 2 doubles as Terah Maloley and Natalie Cech teammed up to earn a 8-5 win.

In singles play, Maloley got a convincing 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 2 singles and Katherine Ternent won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.

The final two wins in singles action both were thrilling matches, with NWU coming from behind in both. At No. 4 singles, Hannah Hussmann rallied for a 1-6, 6-4, 11-9 three set win, while Jennifer Heywood came back for a 2-6, 6-1, 10-7 win at No. 6 singles. Heywood stepped into the lineup as NWU was playing without their No. 2 player, Erica Dickmeyer, who missed the day with illness.

Earlier in the day, Nebraska Wesleyan lost a 7-2 decision to William Jewell College as the Cardinals remained undefeated on the year. Ternent won her singles match, and joined Maria Mota at No. 1 doubles for the Prairie Wolves two victories.