NEW BRAUNFELS – Tarleton pulled off an early-season upset of the nation's No. 11-ranked and the South Central region-leading St. Mary's Rattlers 5-2 at the John Newcombe Country Club Saturday afternoon.
 
"I am very proud of this team," said head coach Lance Drake. "The way these ladies competed today was a lot of fun to watch. They showed a lot of grit and determination. They really stepped up to another level against a very good team from St. Mary's. I'm excited to see if we can carry this momentum over into our home opener on Tuesday afternoon."
 
The day started with Shelby Fillingame and Sofija Hrovat winning their first doubles match in the No. 3 match. After St. Mary's evened things up with a win in the No. 2 match, the doubles point hinged on the battle in the No. 1 seed and Alicia Barbaroux and Sherine Salem cashed in with a 6-3 win to give Tarleton a 1-0 lead heading into singles.
 
Singles started with St. Mary's evening up the match with a win in the top spot. In a national top-50 match, No. 47 Alicia Barbaroux was edged out 6-2, 6-1 by No. 38 Ally Maciel.
 
Tarleton answered back with three straight singles points from Shelby Fillingame (6-3, 6-1) in the No. 6 match, Faustine Palatte (4-6, 6-1, 6-4) in the No. 4 match, and Neetika Sud (2-6, 6-3, 7-6) in the No. 2 match to secure the win with four total points. Nathalie Ulander put a feather on the cap of the win by rallying back from a tough loss in the first set to win 6-7, 6-3, 7-5.
 
The complete results are as follows:
 
DOUBLES:
1. Alicia Barbaroux/Sherine Salem (TSU) def. Alex Corder/Ally Maciel (STMU) 6-3
2. Isabelle Bergman/Rani Goodland (STMU) def. Nathalie Ulander/Faustine Palatte (TSU) 6-3
3. Shelby Fillingame/Sofija Hrovat (TSU) def. Ashley Penshorn/Hannah Peterson (STMU) 6-2
 
SINGLES:
1. #38 Ally Maciel (STMU) def. #47 Alicia Barbaroux (TSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Neetika Sud (TSU) def. Alex Corder (STMU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6
3. Rani Goodland (STMU) def. Sherine Salem (TSU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
4. Faustine Palatte (TSU) def. Hannah Peterson (STMU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
5. Nathalie Ulander (TSU) def. Ashley Penshorn (STMU) 6-7, 6-3, 7-5
6. Shelby Fillingame (TSU) def. Isabelle Bergman (STMU) 6-3, 6-1
 
Tarleton will be in Stephenville Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. to host St. Edward's in a regional match at the Potishman Lard Tennis Complex.