By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

DALLAS, Texas, FEB. 22, 2015 – Vera Bessonova and Jessica Cortes Chaves posted singles victories as No. 62 USF opened conference play with a 5-2 loss at SMU on Sunday.

Bessonova, a sophomore from Russia, earned USF's first point at the No. 2 singles spot by getting past Anna Kate Anderson, 6-3, 6-4. Cortes Chaves, a freshman from Mexico, also won in straight sets at the fourth singles position by defeating Yana Erkeeva, 6-4, 6-4.

Fans can enjoy watching the Bulls for free when they play a seven-match homestand that begins Saturday, March 7 against North Florida at 11 a.m. Check out the rest of the home dates at the USF Varsity Courts HERE.

SMU 5, No. 62 USF 2
Feb 22, 2015 at Dallas, Texas

Singles competition
1. Hristina Dishkova (SMU) def. Olaya Garrido-Rivas (USF) 6-4, 6-1
2. Vera Bessonova (USF) def. Anna Kate Anderson (SMU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Olga Martinez (USF) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
4. J. Cortes Chaves (USF) def. Yana Erkeeva (SMU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Mary Wright (SMU) def. Juliana Cardoso (USF) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
6. Vaszilisza Bulgakova (SMU) def. Hailey Grillo (USF) 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Vaszilisza Bulgakova/Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Vera Bessonova/Olaya Garrido-Rivas (USF) 6-4
2. Hristina Dishkova/Holly Verner (SMU) def. J. Cortes Chaves/Olga Martinez (USF) 6-2
3. Yana Erkeeva/Mary Wright (SMU) def. Juliana Cardoso/Hailey Grillo (USF) 7-5

Match Notes:
#62 USF 2-6, 0-1 AAC
SMU 7-0, 2-0 AAC
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,2,4,5,3,6)
A-143