March 21, 2009

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Lamar University women's tennis team won the doubles point, but could not hold off Troy University in singles play, falling 4-3 in the second round of the Lady Eagle Classic.

The Lady Cardinals opened the contest by sweeping the doubles point with three convincing wins. Sisters Mariaryeni Gutierrez and Maria Gutierrez paired for an 8-5 win over Rawia Elsisi and Leonie Guijt at No. 1, Manijee Ashrafi and Salina Aranda defeated Mirte De Bakker and Stephanie Vieira 8-4 at No.2 while Manami Kuroda and Carla Nava posted an 8-6 win over Caroline Joaunin and Caroline Joaunin at No. 3.

In singles play the Lady Cardinals received victories from the Gutierrez sisters at No. 1 and No.2, but in the matches at three through six Lamar was not able to secure the winning point. Mariaryeni Gutierrez won 6-3, 6-2 over Elsisi at No. 1 and Maria Gutierrez handed De Bakker a 6-4, 6-2 loss at No. 2.

After dropping matches at three, four and six, the deciding point came down to the match at No. 5 between Kuroda and Joaunin. Kuroda took the first set 7-5 and Joaunin took the second set 6-4 to even play. In the deciding set Kuroda retired due to cramps while trailing 5-0, giving Troy the fourth and match -clinching point.

"Troy did a great job today of battling hard and earning the win," Lamar head coach David Wong said. "While they earned the victory, I think my team left a little bit out there on the court. We've got to get a more consistent effort from our entire line up if we expect to win."

With the loss the Lady Cardinals record falls to 7-5 on the year. They will be back in action again on Sunday when they take on West Virginia at 9 a.m.