STEPHENVILLE – Despite taking a 2-1 lead after doubles, Tarleton managed only one singles win to suffer a 5-3 setback against in-region foe, Dallas Baptist Tuesday afternoon in Stephenville to close out the regular season.
 
Tarleton, who clinched the No. 3 seed in the Lone Star Conference standings with a win over Kingsville Friday, will open the Lone Star Conference Tournament Championships with a 10 a.m. match at the Arlington Tennis Center on Friday against Western New Mexico.
 
"We were unable to capitalize on our opportunities today," said head coach Lance Drake. "It was a hard fought match by both squads. We put ourselves in a good position by going up 2-1 after doubles, but Dallas Baptist did a better job on the big points and – in short – were just more solid on the court today.
 
"Our No. 2 doubles improved their match play and No. 3 found a way to get a win," he continued. "Tori (Simmons) played well and stepped up all day. Elena was playing well and made good adjustments, but we pulled her match after DBU clinched. Now we have to get ready for the conference tournament with a lot on the line. This match will help us for the weekend."
 
Tori Simmons and Alicia Barbaroux got Tarleton on the board first with an 8-5 win in No. 3 doubles before Erika Johnston and Ashleigh Elward gave the TexAnns the doubles advantage with an 8-2 win in the No. 2 match.
 
After Tarleton dropped the No. 1 doubles match, the TexAnns went into singles but only Simmons was able to pull out a singles victory with a 6-0, 6-2 win in the No. 6 match.
 
The complete results are as follows:
 
Doubles Competition:
1. Ana Marija Banic/Mikayla Rinker (DBU) def. Elena Preadca/Luiza Ferraro-Adas (TSU) 8-4
2. Erika Johnston/Ashleigh Elward (TSU) def. Lacey Sprinkel/Skylar McDonald (DBU) 8-2
3. Tori Simmons/Alicia Barbaroux (TSU) def. Bianca Tijerina/Liz Slaughter (DBU) 8-5
 
Singles competition:
1. Ana Marija Banic (DBU) def. Erika Johnston (TSU) 6-3, 7-5
2. Elena Preadca (TSU) vs. Lacey Sprinkel (DBU) 6-7, 5-0, unfinished
3. Mikayla Rinker (DBU) def. Alicia Barbaroux (TSU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Skylar McDonald (DBU) def. Ashleigh Elward (TSU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Liz Slaughter (DBU) def. Luiza Ferraro-Adas (TSU) 7-6, 7-5
6. Tori Simmons (TSU) def. Bianca Tijerina (DBU) 6-0, 6-2
 
Tarleton will return to action Friday in Arlington against Western New Mexico at 10 a.m.