April 30, 2011

Box Score

SAN ANTONIO - The Lamar University women's tennis team saw its season come to a stunning end Saturday with a 4-1 loss to Northwestern State in the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals.

The second-seeded Lady Cardinals (19-3) claimed a 5-2 win over Northwestern State just two weeks earlier on the final weekend of the regular season, but could not duplicate that feat in the postseason.

Lamar dropped the doubles point Saturday, a factor that proved to be crucial, as the Lady Cards were forced to win four of the six singles matches to advance. Lamar got the first point at singles as Kaltrina Harbuzi breezed to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Adna Curukovic at No. 2 singles, but Lamar lost at third, fourth and sixth singles to earn the team victory. Lamar's Mariaryeni Gutierrez, who had just one loss in conference play all season, and Diana Mendez, who was undefeated in singles play, had their matches at first and fifth singles, respectively, halted once Northwestern State secured the victory.

Northwestern State (18-5), which was the No. 3 seed, advanced to Sunday's finals against the winner of Saturday's late match between UT Arlington and Texas State.

LAMAR