Women's Tennis | 4/23/2016 7:55:00 PM

Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's Women's Tennis honored its lone senior, IVANA ZECEVIC, on Saturday in the final regular-season match of the year, but could not pull off a victory against 12^th-ranked St. Mary's. The Hilltoppers fell to the Rattlers, 9-0.
 
The Rattler lineup was filled with nationally-ranked talent, including two individuals ranked in singles, and a pair of doubles teams in the top-20 as well. ANJALI SAMPATH pushed her 44^th-ranked foe to three sets, and she worked with MARISSA WILLIAMS to push the No. 11 doubles team to the max as well.
 
The HIlltoppers close their regular season with a record of 14-7 overall and 4-1 in the Heartland Conference. With the victory, St. Mary's claims the regular-season conference title, and finishes 17-3 and 5-0.
 
"It was a tough day at the office. St. Mary's is a great team with a lot of senior leadership, and depth," said head coach Kendall Brooks. "We knew it was going to be tough coming out, and I was pleased with our effort. We started well in doubles, but had some opportunities we didn't capitalize on. They kept fighting, and that's all you can ask."
 
A loaded lineup meant a tough day for the Hilltoppers in all aspects. Williams and Sampath led the way by taking five games off of their opponent at No. 1 doubles, but fell, 8-5. Sampath also shined in singles with a three-set score of 6-2, 3-6, 10-5, but could not clinch the victory. The remainder of the matches went in straight sets.
 
Coach Brooks and her team now look to the Heartland Conference Tournament next weekend in Dallas. Their first-round matchup is expected to be against Newman, a team the Hilltoppers beat 6-3 less than a month ago. It is yet to be determined if live stats or video of the tournament will be available.