BEAUMONT, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's tennis returned to the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center Saturday afternoon, taking on Northwestern State in the Southland Conference tournament semifinals. In a four-hour battle, the Islanders showed heart and grit. But, the Islanders fell just short, falling 4-3 to the Lady Demons.
Northwestern State came out of the gates running, securing the doubles point to start the match. The Islanders continued to fight. Both teams traded points back-and-forth, until the deciding point rested at No. 1 singles. After dropping the first set, Hortense Boscher battled back to take set number two. In the third set, with the match tied 3-3, the two continued to battle. Ultimately, Mutel weathered the storm, edging Boscher 6-4 in the final set to secure the match point for the Lady Demons.
"What a great college tennis match," said Coach Steve Moore. "You've just got to give Northwestern State credit. They won a dogfight between two great, character teams. We're in this to develop character in student-athletes. Sometimes, the character thing to do in these moments is to salute your opponent, and honor a great competitive match."
"It's very, very hard to say goodbye to Hortense and Jelena," Moore continued. "That's the hardest part of today, saying goodbye to these seniors. It's almost a catch-22. The more high-character and wonderful they are, the harder it is to say goodbye. These are two of the most special athletes that have ever played in any sport of the Southland Conference. I can't wait to see what they do with their lives, with their jobs, with their families. Whatever company these two go to work for, I want to buy stock in. We had a character season, with a lot of heart. I'm proud of this team. Go Islanders."
FINAL STATS
AMCC 3, NSU 4
Singles: Order of Finish – 6,3,4,2,5,1
1. Polina Mutel (NWST) def. Hortense Boscher (AMCCW) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
2. Polina Ivanova (NWST) def. Jelena Dzinic (AMCCW) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
3. Luna Dormet (AMCCW) def. Emilija Dancetovic (NWST) 6-0, 6-4
4. Louise Trigona (AMCCW) def. Ela Iwaniuk (NWST) 6-2, 7-5
5. Judit Castillo (NWST) def. Marina Vicens Miquel (AMCCW) 6-4, 6-4
6. Carolina Bulatovic (AMCCW) def. Kateryna Avram (NWST) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles: Order of Finish – 2,3
1. Hortense Boscher/Luna Dormet (AMCCW) vs. Polina Ivanova/Polina Mutel (NWST) 4-5, unfinished
2. Kateryna Avram/Judit Castillo (NWST) def. Marina Vicens Miquel/Louise Trigona (AMCCW) 6-4
3. Emilija Dancetovic/Ela Iwaniuk (NWST) def. Jelena Dzinic/Maria Maldonado (AMCCW) 6-3
