FREDERICKSBURG – Tarleton suffered 'tough and disappointing' losses to Tampa 5-4 in a neutral site match Thursday afternoon.
"This was a tough and disappointing loss today," said head coach
Lance Drake. "We went up after doubles and won the first sets in four of our singles matches but were unable to find a way to close it out. We got good performances from the top of the lineup and there were some other positives, but when the team score isn't in your favor it's difficult.
"We need to look at this as an opportunity to learn and grow," he continued. "We have three matches coming up in the next few days against teams that Tarleton has never faced. It will be a good challenge for our squad and we will see how we respond."
Tarleton jumped out to a quick advantage in doubles after victories in the No. 1 and 2 matches from
Alicia Barbaroux and
Sherine Salem, who improved to 6-1 in doubles this season, and
Shelby Fillingame and
Neetika Sud.
Barbaroux and Sud handled their business in the top two singles matches to push the Tarleton lead to 4-1 in the match before Tampa won the No. 3 and 6 matches to cut the match score to 4-3. Despite winning the first set in each of the No. 4 and 5 matches, Tarleton couldn't hold on to the leads and ultimately dropped the match.
The complete results are as follows:
DOUBLES
1.
Alicia Barbaroux/
Sherine Salem (TSU) def. Caroline Lozo/Corbin Dorsey (UT) 8-2
2.
Shelby Fillingame/
Neetika Sud (TSU) def. Maddie Stephens/Vanina Iordanova (UT) 8-5
3. Lilley Nice/Emily Hewland (UT) def.
Erika Johnston/
Chrystalynn Shirley (TSU) 8-5
SINGLES
1.
Alicia Barbaroux (TSU) def. Caroline Lozo (UT) 6-1, win by default
2.
Neetika Sud (TSU) def. Maddie Stephens (UT) 6-1, 7-5
3. Vanina Iordanova (UT) def.
Sherine Salem (TSU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Lilley Nice (UT) def.
Shelby Fillingame (TSU) 0-6, 6-4, 10-4
5. Corbin Dorsey (UT) def.
Erika Johnston (TSU) 3-6, 6-3, 11-9
6. Amanda Baxter (UT) def.
Chrystalynn Shirley (TSU) 6-0, 6-1
Tarleton will head to Hilton Head, South Carolina during Spring Break to take the court against Slippery Rock, Northwood, and Edinboro.
