For Kansas freshman Paige Brown, moving up to the No. 3 spot didn’t pay off in KU’s tennis dual with Texas Tech on Friday at Alvamar Racquet Club.

At least not for Brown (5-1), who was previously unbeaten. But it did aid the Jayhawks on a day where close matches nearly gave the Red Raiders the victory.

Instead, Kansas (5-3) handled Texas Tech for the seventh straight time and opened its Big 12 season with a win.

“It was nice to get our first conference win against an improved Texas Tech team,” KU head coach Kilmeny Waterman said. “We lost some close matches that did not go our way, but it is a good start to the weekend.”

While Brown, who fell to Texas Tech’s Beverly Dawson 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 6-3, said it was disappointing to lose in her first time at her new spot. She said the Jayhawks showed a lot of character and were ready for the rest of the weekend with matches against nationally ranked Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.

“We’re an awesome team,” Brown said. “Now we have to just step up and keep things going this way.”

That will start today when No. 23 Oklahoma State comes to Alvamar for a 2 p.m. dual.

The Cowgirls tied with Texas last year for the Big 12 title, and Waterman said they posed a real challenge.

“We have the ability to win, but that will only come in the belief of ourselves,” she said.