AUSTIN &045;&160;The inexperienced United South Central girls’ tennis team ran into a strong Big Nine foe in Austin Tuesday and dropped its opening match of the season 5-2.

The Rebels, looking to replace seven seniors off last year’s squad, did not have enough power to stay with one of the Big Nine’s better teams.

Jill Stenzel fell at No. 1 singles for the Rebels by a count of 4-6, 3-6 to Hanna Middlebrook.

Andrea Allis dominated the first set for USC at No. 2 singles winning 6-0, but she was unable to sustain that momentum losing the next two 4-6, 3-6.

Jordan Anderson would come up short at No. 3 1-6, 1-6, but Carolyn Schmitz would get the Rebels on the board when she came up with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jessica Webber to close out singles action.

USC’s top doubles team Amanda Redman and Jessica Stensrud was beaten 6-7 (2-7), 2-6 before Emma Stenzel and Molly Yokiel claimed the Rebels’ other victory on the day with a three-set victory 2-6, 6-0, 7-5.

Austin would take the final match 1-6, 1-6 over Mandy Huper and Kellie Robbins.

The Rebels are back in action tomorrow when they travel to Albert Lea to face the Tigers.