DALLAS – The No. 10-ranked team in the South Central region battled to the very end despite being two players down as Tarleton fell 5-4 to No. 47 Dallas Baptist in Wednesday's regular season finale.
 
"It was a tough match for us because we were down 0-2 in the match before it even started because of injuries," said graduate assistant coach Suzi Alcaraz. "We had a really good effort but we came up a little short."
 
Despite not having enough players to field a third doubles tandem, the four TexAnns in the No. 1 and 2 matches did their part by earning wins to give Tarleton a 2-1 lead after doubles.
 
Elena Preadca and Luiza Ferraro-Adas won the top-seed battle of regionally ranked duos. The Tarleton twosome entered the match ranked No. 6 in the region and earned an 8-6 win over DBU's No. 5-ranked duo. Meanwhile, Erika Richarme and Ashleigh Elward – who are also ranked No. 10 in the region – won the No. 2 match with ease, 8-2.
 
"We were where we wanted to be after doubles, said Alcaraz. "Unfortunately, we couldn't pull it out and it was a little disappointing. I am really proud of our effort, though."
 
In singles action, Elward and Richarme earned a pair of three-set battles in the No. 1 and 2 positions. Elward won the top-seeded matchup 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 while Richarme delivered a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win in the No. 2 match.
 
Tarleton lost the No. 3, 4, and 5 matches and had to forfeit the No. 6 match due to a lack of available players.
 
The TexAnns will look to rest up and prepare for the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament, which is set for next Friday (April 29) in Wichita Falls. The TexAnns, who are the No. 3 seed in the tournament, will face off with tournament host No. 20 Midwestern State at 10 a.m.