Memorable Season Ends in NCAA Tournament

WACO, Texas – For a third time in four years, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's tennis reached the pinnacle of the sport by advancing to the NCAA Tournament, but the Islanders' season came to an end in the first round as No. 16 Baylor claimed a 4-0 victory.
 
The Islanders finished another remarkable season with a 20-3 record, amassing 20 victories for the second consecutive year. On Saturday, the upset bid simply was not in the cards as the nationally-ranked  Bears defended their home courts.
 
"I'm so proud of our team and the way they showed up to fight," said Director of Tennis Steve Moore. "The truth of this match is Baylor is far more than just a talented team. They are a super-coached, disciplined team. Our hope and prayer in the NCAAs is we can play a talented team, that maybe doesn't always play tough and smart, and unfortunately Baylor is the prototype of a tough, smart, talented team and we just didn't get anything for free today. They are so well coached and just so disciplined. They were just too much for us today."
 
Doubles play saw flashes from the Islanders as both the number one and three pairings clawed back to 3-2 scores midway through the match. Jelena Dzinic and Judit Vives rallied back from a slow start to reach 3-2 down at the top spot, but the 35th-ranked Bears pairing proved too much.
 
In the three spot, Maria Maldonado and Marina Vicens Miquel were locked in a battle at 5-3 when play was halted. Baylor earned the doubles point with a 6-1 win on court two.
 
In singles action, 16th-ranked Baylor flexed its muscle, earning wins at three, five and six to lock up the match.
 
Hortense Boscher highlighted the Islanders' effort as the junior faced the tall task of battling the No. 3 ranked player in the nation, Blair Shankle. Boscher fell 6-3 in the first set and was locked in a tight 3-2 second set when play concluded.
 
At number six, Vicens Miquel was downed for just the second time on the season. Baylor's Jessica Hinojosa gave the Bears a 2-0 lead with a 6-1, 6-0 win. The Bears would make it 3-0 at the number five spot where Maria Maldonado was upended 6-0, 6-1.
 
Baylor wrapped up the victory on court three where Rhiann Newborn defeated Louise Trigona 61, 6-3 to clinch the match. Jelena Dzinic trailed 6-1, 5-1 and Judit Vives was in a 6-3, 5-0 hole when play concluded.
 
MOORE THOUGHTS
 
On the team's performance…
"These girls did what they've done all year – they fought with all their heart. They fought every point and showed non-stop character. They played the Islander way with a lot of pride. All the credit goes to Baylor today. They're not only a very talented team, they are super coached up and disciplined. Those are the teams that win in the NCAAs. We fought as hard as we could, but they wouldn't give us anything. Everything we did, they matched. Sometimes you just have to salute the other team."
 
On third trip to NCAAs in four years…
"These girls have built a culture. The symptom of that culture has been some good results. It's all about the character, hard work, commitment to family and a commitment to play this game the right way. I'm just so proud of these girls. The NCAA is such a dogfight – I have so much respect for Baylor. I didn't feel like we lost, I felt like they rose up and won."
 
On the season…
"I just love our kids. I'm really proud of what they've done for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the city of Corpus Christi and Islanders Tennis. They've brought a lot of pride to this community. There's a lot of ways to market your city and your school, but I cant think of one that gives you more bang for your buck than having your name in the NCAA national tournament three times in four years."