University Star

The tennis team posted a 2-0 mark during the weekend with victories against Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana, compiling a combined 13-1 score in both wins.

The team acknowledged its overall confidence was a bit shaken after suffering the first conference loss of the season against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on the road.

The Bobcats handed Nicholls State its sixth loss in conference with the 6-1 victory, and the doubles point was earned with a sweep of the Colonels. Both the No. 1 and No. 2 groups won 8-2 and 8-3, respectively. The No. 3 pairing, consisting of Rachel Baldree and Mariana Perez, won by default because Nicholls State was a player short.

Perez won her No. 5 match in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 after not even having to attempt the match in doubles. Bérénice Van den Bergh, Perez’s doubles teammate, won her No. 6 match by default as well.

Gabriela Rojas won her match 6-2, 6-1 to clinch the overall match victory for the Bobcats. The No. 2 match, Melissa Hadad, defeated her opponent in straight sets after battling back. Jessica Kahts won her matches 6-4, 7-6.

Texas State took on Southeastern Louisiana in the match Saturday, without looking too far ahead to the potential Southland Conference team championship against current leader and undefeated Stephen F. Austin.

The doubles point again went to the Bobcats, who gained early momentum going into the singles competitions. In the No. 1 match Hadad and Kahts won in a perfect contest 8-0. Both players are back on track after going through a three-match losing streak recently.

Baldree and Perez won their match by an 8-2 score, defeating the Lion’s No. 3 pairing. They improved their season record to 8-0 in conference and 13-1 on the season.

The Bobcats won every singles match. Kahts and Hadad won their eighth victories of the season in conference with 6-1, 6-1 and 6-4, 6-2 match wins, respectively.

Texas State can now look forward to their first place game against SFA, who is 9-0 in conference and 19-3 on the season, good enough to be ranked No. 50 in the country. Sam Houston State will travel to San Marcos for the last regular season match. They are 5-3 in the SLC.