CLEVELAND - The No. 34 Delta State University Lady Statesmen (10-4, 5-0 GSC) tennis team claimed at least a share of the Gulf South Conference West Division title with a 5-4 victory over the Harding University Lady Bisons (17-8, 4-1 GSC) on Tuesday at University Courts.  The match was one of the closer contest in the last month for the Lady Statesmen with the match coming down to the doubles points. 

Delta State's Laura Mongin continued her steady play at No. 1 singles Tuesday, fighting off Ling Chan in three sets 1-6, 6-1 and 6-4.  

Harding claimed singles spots No. 2-4 before the Lady Statesmen rallied with wins by Maria Moya at No. 4 6-2, 4-6 and 6-1 over Fabiola Wisnesky, and at No. 5 with Hidemi Mayeshiro downing Janet Orgain 6-3 and 6-3 and 6-0.

After the Lady Bisons' Ling Chang and Benyapa Phumtip teaming up to defeat Mongin and Erin Teivans 8-6, Delta State needed to pull out the final two doubles matches to win the contest.  

Lucia Laws/Amandine Gourgues battled past HU's Gina Cielo/Chelsea Hunt 8-5, while Moya and Mayeshiro turned in an 8-5 victory over Winesky and Callie Huey.  

The Lady Statesmen can claim the West Division title out right with a victory Thursday over Ouachita Baptist in Lake Village, Ark.  The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.   

Singles competition
1. Laura Mongin (DSU) def. Ling Chan (HU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
2. Benyapa Phumtip (HU) def. Lucia Laws (DSU) 6-1, 6-0
3. Chelsea Hunt (HU) def. Amandine Gourgues (DSU) 4-6, 7-6, 6-4
4. Gina Cielo (HU) def. Erin Teivans (DSU) 6-4, 7-5
5. Maria Moya Morales (DSU) def. Fabiola Wisnesky (HU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
6. Hidemi Mayeshiro (DSU) def. Janet Orgain (HU) 6-3, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Ling Chan/Benyapa Phumtip (HU) def. Laura Mongin/Erin Teivans (DSU) 8-6
2. Lucia Laws/Amandine Gourgues (DSU) def. Gina Cielo/Chelsea Hunt (HU) 8-5
3. Maria Moya Morales/Hidemi Mayeshiro (DSU) def. Fabiola Wisnesky/Callie Huey (HU) 8-5

Match Notes:
Harding 17-6, 4-1; Regional ranking #12
Delta State 10-4, 5-0; National ranking #34; Regional ranking #9