Box Score
Belton, TX – The University of Texas at Tyler women's tennis team grabbed the lead during doubles and then took three of the four decided singles matches to post a 5-2 victory over Hardin-Simmons University in the American Southwest Conference Tournament Semifinals Saturday in Belton. The Patriots improve to 16-7 on the season with the victory. The loss ends the season for the Cowgirls at 12-8.
Doubles was a seesaw affair with U.T.-Tyler posting wins at #1 and #3. Hardin-Simmons took #2 doubles, with both #2 and #3 going to tiebreakers. Jessica Blundell's win at #4 singles would give U.T.-Tyler a 3-1 lead, but Lisa Mertz posted a 7-6(5), 6-0 win at #1 singles to pull HSU to within 3-2. The Patriots would then get wins at #2 singles from Sydni Hermsdorf and #6 singles from Morgan Wilkins to clinch the victory.
U.T.-Tyler will now move into Sunday's Championship match as the three-time defending conference champions. The Patriots will face tournament host Mary Hardin-Baylor at the Yvonne Li Tennis Center 30 minutes after the completion of the men's tennis championship match. The loss ends HSU's season and also ends the careers of Cowgirls seniors Jennifer Cheung and Lisa Mertz.
Results
Singles
Lisa Mertz (HSU) def. Michelle Hagler (UTT) 7-6(5), 6-0
Sydni Hermsdorf (UTT) def. Lauren Jay (HSU) 7-5, 6-3
Lauren Giovannini (UTT) vs. Jennifer Cheung (HSU) 7-5, 3-4, unfinished
Jessica Blundell (UTT) def. Angie Nhan (HSU) 6-2, 6-0
Genene Haddad (HSU) vs. Brittany Trich (UTT) 7-6, 4-6, unfinished
Morgan Wilkins (UTT) def. Danielle Cochran (HSU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
Doubles
Hermsdorf/Emily McRae (UTT) def. Cheung/Mertz (HSU) 9-7
Haddad/Jay (HSU) def. Blundell/Hagler (UTT) 9-8(6)
Giovannini/Ashley Albro (UTT) def. Nhan/Alex Ortiz (HSU) 9-8(3)
