Doubles prove costly in close loss

Sunday, March 26

Arlington, Texas

9 a.m.

Grand Canyon

UT Arlington

3/26/2023 1:52:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

GCU splits singles play in 4-3 loss at UT Arlington

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon women's tennis team wrapped up the weekend road trip with a 4-3 loss at UT Arlington on Sunday morning.

For the second straight match, the doubles point proved to be the difference as the Lopes (8-8, 2-2 WAC) and Mavericks (12-2, 4-0 WAC) split the six singles matches after UT Arlington took the doubles point.

In doubles, the Mavericks jumped out to an early advantage with a 6-1 win at Court 2 over freshman Anali Kocevar and graduate Madeline Lamoreaux. The Lopes responded with a 6-2 win at the No. 1 position with senior Natasha Puehse and junior Santa Strombacha for their 10th win of the season. The 1-0 lead was clinched for UT Arlington at the third court with a 6-3 win over GCU's Valentina Del Marco and Dania Deaifi.

The Mavericks quickly extended their lead with a 6-2, 6-0 singles win at Court 6 over Del Marco. The Lopes responded with two straight-set wins by Puehse and Strombacha at the top two courts to tie the match at 2-2.

Lamoreaux was the next to finish, winning her ninth match in a row with a 6-2, 6-4 win at Court 5 to put GCU ahead 3-2. The Mavericks answered with wins on the final two courts to complete the late comeback. Deaifi lost 6-4, 6-2 at Court 4 and Kocevar was locked in a long match at Court 3, losing 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.

The Lopes will head back to GCU Tennis Facility for a pair of home matches against Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston on Friday and Sunday, respectively.