ABILENE ? The No. 20 Tarleton TexAnn tennis team closed its 2008-09 season on Friday after losing to No. 6 Abilene Christian in the South Central Regional Championship match, 5-0.

However, the score was a little misleading.

“This was a very good match, and our young ladies played with a lot of heart today,” said Tarleton head coach Lance Drake. “I am very proud of the effort, but we came up short in the matches.  We had two opportunities to get points, but ACU did a better job at the end than we did.”

The TexAnns started down 2-0 after Irene Squillaci and Jaclyn Walker of ACU def. Melanie Zilles and Natalia Yanes, 8-5, while Sarah Drummond and Dina Pavlin downed Chrissie Cooper and Jade Charlot, 8-3.  In the third flight, Adriana Jaskova and Evgeniya Prokofeva forced extra play, but a double fault gave the win to ACU's Cassie Carver and Lauren White, 9-7.

Down 3-0, the TexAnns needed strong play in singles action, but the Wildcats pulled out the victory with Squillaci defeating Yanes in the first flight (6-1, 6-0) and Carver downing Charlot in the fifth flight (6-1, 6-1).

“Our singles played well,” Drake said.  “The heat was definitely taking its toll on the players.  Natalia's legs did not recover well from the previous day and we had to try and end the points earlier than normal.  Her strength is to wear the opponent down with consistent, powerful strokes, but she had to try something different and it didn't happen for her.  The second and third flights were tight before the match was called.  With the fourth flight, we dug ourselves a hole and were on the verge of breaking through, but Carver was able to finish off the match with some big forehands.  If we could have won another game or two we were going to be right in the thick of things.  We had split at five and Evgeniya was in a tough fight at six.  We really needed a doubles point, but ACU did a better job of adjusting to a few things and made some shots at the end.  The girls battled in singles before the match was called. 

“I am very proud of their effort and the sportsmanship they showed on the court,” Drake said.  “They made ACU earn it.”

This was the first time the program has made back to back regional final appearances. 

Friday, May 8

NCAA South Central Regional Championship

#1 Abilene Christian 5, #4 Tarleton  0

Singles

1) Irene Squillaci, ACU, def. Natalia Yanes, TSU, 6-1, 6-0

5) Cassie Carver, ACU, def. Jade Charlot, TSU, 6-1, 6-1

Doubles

1) Irene Squillaci-Jaclyn Walker, ACU, def. Melanie Zilles-Natalia Yanes, TSU, 8-3

2) Sarah Drummond-Dina Pavlin, ACU, def. Chrissie Cooper-Jade Charlot, TSU, 8-3

3) Cassie Carver-Lauren White, ACU, def. Adriana Jaskova-Evgeniya Prokofeva, TSU, 9-7