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| Freshman Caroline Dedering clinched the match for UTSA with a tough three-set win on Friday. |
NACOGDOCHES - Freshman Caroline Dedering outlasted Sumarie Muller, 6-4, inthe final set at No. 5 singles to clinch a 4-3 thriller for the No. 5-seed UTSAwomen’s tennis team against No. 4 Texas State in the first round of theSouthland Conference Tournament on Friday at the SFA Tennis Center.
Dedering fought back from a 6-2 loss in the first set toclaim back-to-back 6-4 victories in what proved to be the decisive contest, as the Roadrunners (10-12) moved into the semifinal round for the firsttime since 2004. UTSA also avenged a 5-2 loss to the Bobcats (10-10) on April2.
Dedering combined with junior Monika Drabkova to score an8-5 victory over Mackenzie Farmer and Ashley Ellis at No. 2 doubles, whilejunior Karen Scida and senior Tanya Hasking downed Andrea Giraldo and LainyChafitz at No. 1, 8-5, to give UTSA an early 1-0 lead.
Drabkova put away Chafitz at No. 3 singles, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1),and sophomore Holly Phillips outlasted Alejandra Gulida, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1,at No. 4, but Texas State won three other singles matches to put the pressureon the No. 5 position.
The Roadrunners will face top seed Southeastern Louisiana in the semifinal round at 10 a.m. on Saturday.