The Tarleton State University TexAnn tennis team has been working hard to achieve a winning season and claim a conference title.

The team is 2-3 so far in the season. With their first two matches canceled due to weather, the team’s first playable match was against University of Texas – Permian Basin on the home court. The TexAnns suffered their first loss of the season at 4-5.

“We are a young and inexperienced team.  It has shown up in some of our matches thus far,” said Head Coach Lance Drake. “We have good athletic ability but you must be tennis smart to have success on this level.  We lost 7 players off of last year’s squad who were battle tested so we are learning what it takes to play at a high level on a consistent basis. In short, we are ultimately working a lot on mental toughness and confidence,”

The next opportunity to gain a win was against Ouachita Baptist University at the Ouachita Baptist Quad where the team came away with a W at 8-1.  Two of the three doubles matches were won to aid in the opening game of the quad. Ellie Stevens and Gabriella Jansson made up one of the winning doubles team, while Erika Richarme and Ariadna Cabezas-Marti were the other winning doubles pair.

One more win against Delta State University (5-1) and one loss against Southwest Baptist University (2-5) would conclude the quad.

The most recent game was against St. Edward’s University on Feb. 19. The team suffered 1-9 match loss, but they aren’t letting that stop them.

“Every match is tough and important.  The competitive level of play is so high in the South Central Region and continues to get stronger each year.  The team has to continue to work hard, as nothing will come easy.  We will see how it all progresses,” commented Drake on the challenges faced this season.

The Lone Star Conference championship tournament will be held in Lawton, Okla. April 24-25.