STEPHENVILLE – In a battle of top-10 teams of the South Central region, Tarleton came up just short against St. Edward's in the TexAnns' first game action since spring break.
 
"We knew going in that it was going to be a tough battle," said head coach Lance Drake. "We took a 2-1 lead in doubles, but couldn't hold on to the lead and momentum. We are fighting through some injuries, but we have to learn how to keep an opponent down and take the win."
 
Tarleton opened the event by taking two of the three doubles matches for a 2-1 advantage heading into singles action.
 
Luiza Ferraro-Adas and Elena Preadca, which is currently the No. 7-ranked doubles tandem in the region, squared off with the No. 10-ranked duo of Anjali Sampath and Marissa Williams in the top-seeded match and the TexAnn tandem handled the match 8-1.
 
After St. Edward's evened up doubles by taking the No. 3 match 8-4, Ashleigh Elward and Erika Richarme stepped up in the No. 2 match to take the win 8-5 and send the TexAnns into singles action with the lead.
 
"We didn't play great doubles, but we played well enough to go up 2-1," said Drake. "I wish I could say the same for singles, though."
 
In singles, Tarleton earned wins from Richarme (6-4, 6-2) in the No. 2 match and from Ferraro-Adas (6-4, 6-4) in the No. 3 match. The TexAnns fell in the No. 1 match 6-7, 2-6; the No. 4 match 2-6, 1-6; the No. 5 match 3-6, 4-6; and the No. 6 match, which ended early with a Tarleton retirement.
 
"We all have areas to improve on," said Drake. "Erika did a good job of controlling her match and continues her improvement. Luiza, even though she was dealing with an injury, concentrated very well and played hard in a tough, close match. I'm proud of the way she fought and willed her way to a win."
 
The TexAnns will return to action next week with a road trip to Pueblo, Colorado, where they face off with the Thunderwolves of Colorado State-Pueblo at 12:30 p.m. on March 31.