Women's Tennis Advances to Regional Final With Win Over Mustangs

ARLINGTON, Texas - The St. Mary's Women's Tennis team avenged a close 4-3 loss to Midwestern State a little over two weeks ago with a convincing 4-1 win in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Division II South Central Regional on Monday morning. Playing the match to clinch, the Rattlers won four straight singles matches after dropping the doubles point.

The Mustangs took an early 1-0 lead after winning at both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles lines. 

After doubles I told the girls that was their warm up and that any nerves should be gone," said St. Mary's Director of Tennis Bill Macom. I told them in singles they needed to hustle after everything unless they wanted to go home. It was time to collectively bring their best singles play and they won the battle. I am super proud of the effort they brought today in singles and look forward to watching them compete for the Regional Championship tomorrow."

Ashley Penshorn even the match at one as the junior was first to finish in singles. Penshorn picked up her 19th victory of the season at the No. 1 line with a 6-2, 6-4 win. Maria Garcia made quick work of her opponent at the No. 2 line, winning 6-1, 6-1, for her 17th win of the year. 

Alice Thane got the Rattlers one step closer to clinching the match with a win at No. 6 singles. Thane earned a hard-fought 7-5 win in the opening set and cruised to a 6-0 win in the second to make it a 3-1 match. 

Marina Vigil clinched the win for the Rattlers with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles. 

The win moves St. Mary's into the Regional final tomorrow to face top-seeded Angelo State after the Rambelles knocked off Texas A&M-Kingsville 4-0 today. The Rattlers and Rambelles faced off on April 2 with Angelo State winning 5-2 in San Angelo.