March 31, 2006

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech women's tennis suffered their second conference loss at the hands of the Aggies today in their first Big 12 home match of the season. The Lady Raiders now sit at 12-5 overall and 5-2 in Big 12 play.

In doubles action, the No. 3 duo of Erin Hunter and Katja Kovacic held off the Aggies to claim what would be the only win for Tech in the match, 8-6. Hunter and Kovacic now sit 12-4, 6-1 in the Big 12. The Aggies, however, made a comeback as both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams slipped through the fingers of the Red Raiders, 8-7, respectively. This resulted in Tech losing the doubles point for the fourth time this season. A&M Head Coach Bobby Kleinecke said this was their closest contested doubles match this season.

"Tech's strength is in doubles, and I think that was a big key for us winning the doubles tonight," he said. "I knew they would come after us and work for that doubles point, and I am proud of how the girls stayed well composed and hung in there."

Tech looked to overcome the doubles loss and regain momentum in their singles matches. Unfortunately, they fell short of claiming victories as A&M won each match in straight sets. Kleinecke said that they pride themselves on being a strong singles team, and Tech Head Coach Cari Groce commended A&M on their overall play.

"All in all, the credit goes to A&M. They didn't give us a chance to catch our breath, and really stepped up and took control," Groce said. "I think A&M is a very good team, and they played strong throughout the match."

The Lady Raiders are back in action on Saturday, April 1, at 12 p.m., as they take on the No. 9 Baylor Bears at the McLeod Tennis Center. For complete details of Lady Raider tennis, visit www.texastech.com.

No. 51 Texas A&M 7, No. 50 Texas Tech 0

Doubles

No. 1 Sarah Foster/Tiffany Clifford (A&M) def. Tara Browning/Lakann Wagley (TTU), 8-7 (3)

No. 2 Nicki Mechem/Anna Lubinsky (A&M) def. Janet Durham/Cigdem Duru (TTU), 8-7

No. 3 Katja Kovacic/Erin Hunter (TTU) def. Anna Blagodarova/Seva Iwinski (A&M), 8-6

Singles

No. 1 Lubinsky (A&M) def. Browning (TTU), 6-2, 6-3

No. 2 Foster (A&M) def. Duru (TTU), 7-6, 6-2

No. 3 Blagodarova (A&M) def. Durham (TTU), 6-1, 6-2

No. 4 Mechem (A&M) def. Wagley (TTU), 6-3, 6-1

No. 5 Clifford (A&M) def. Samantha van der Drift (TTU), 6-2, 6-2

No. 6 Druss (A&M) def. Kovavic (TTU), 6-2, 7-5