Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
TCU
Ram tennis falls to No. 22 TCU
3/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
After winning their past three matches, the Rams (6-4, 0-1 MWC) were unable to handle their second ranked opponent of the season.
In doubles, the Rams won a total of 10 games, but could not pick up the point, dropping the three matches. Going with the same No. 1 duo as on the spring-break trip, Laura Neal and Hilary Tyler faced the No. 12 doubles team in the nation. Entering the match with a 3-0 record, Neal and Tyler won five games, but ultimately lost the match, 8-5. Nos. 2 and 3 proved tough for the Rams as the squad was unable to pick up any wins, giving the Horned Frogs a 1-0 start heading into singles.
In singles, the Rams faced a tough, deep TCU squad.
"We competed well against their best players," commented Head Coach Jon Messick. "But their depth took over further down the lineup.
The winning streaks of freshman Caitlin Fluegge and sophomore Laura Neal came to an end in singles competition.
After winning eight consecutive matches, Fluegge fell at the No. 5 spot. With 14 wins on the year, her undefeated singles streak ended with a 6-1, 6-2 loss. She remains the leader in singles wins for the Rams.
Neal won five straight matches entering Friday, and faced No. 72 Anna Sydorska at the No. 2 singles position. After dropping her first match, Neal suffered an ankle sprain and was forced to retire from the match. This marks her first loss since Feb. 17 against UTEP. Neal is listed as day-to-day and is questionable for Sunday's match.
Giving the Horned Frogs their best run was junior Lauren Strasbuger. Competing at No. 3 singles for the second time this season, she fell to Katariina Tuohimaa, 6-3, 6-3.
"Even though the score doesn't say it, we competed well," said Messick. "We had a good attitude coming in; we just got beat by good players."
TCU moves to 11-4 on the year and will face Air Force Saturday.
The Rams return to the court Sunday when they take on conference foe New Mexico in Fort Worth, Texas, at 9 a.m. MDT.
Friday's Results:
Doubles:
No. 1: #12 Harkins/Sydorska (TCU) def. Neal/Tyler (CSU); 8-5
No. 2: Nichols/Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Pohjalainen/Strasburger (CSU); 8-2
No. 3: Hertzberg/ Babanova (TCU) def. Seltsam/Stople (CSU); 8-3
Singles:
No. 1: Macall Harkins (TCU) def. Hilary Tyler (CSU); 6-2, 6-2
No. 2: #72 Anna Sydorska (TCU) def. Laura Neal (CSU); 6-1, 1-0, ret.
No. 3: Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Lauren Strasburger (CSU); 6-3, 6-3
No. 4: Kewa Nichols (TCU) def. Anette Pohjalainen (CSU); 6-0, 6-1
No. 5: Idunn Hertzberg (TCU) def. Caitlin Fluegge (CSU); 6-1, 6-2
No. 6: Maria Babanova (TCU) def. Greer Satherlie (CSU); 6-1, 6-0
