ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Women's Tennis travels to UT Dallas for the American Southwest Conference tournament this week, where the War Hawks will square off with LeTourneau University in the quarterfinals Thursday at 2 p.m.
*Due to weather, Thursday's matches have been moved indoors to the SMU Tennis Center.*
The War Hawks won their regular season meeting with the Yellowjackets, pulling out a 5-4 victory March 2 at the Seidel-Swagerty Tennis Center. Trailing 4-2, McMurry won the final three singles matches for the come from behind win.
McMurry is the number three seed in the West, while LeTourneau captured the second seed in the East. The other half of McMurry's bracket pits the top seed and host from the West, UT Dallas, against the fourth seed from the East, Louisiana College. Hardin-Simmons takes on Ozarks and East Texas Baptist battles Concordia Texas on the opposite side of the bracket.
Samantha Ritz and Claire Huffine lead the top of McMurry's lineup, as each posted an 11-6 record at numbers one and two singles, respectively. They both finished 5-1 in conference play, as well. Ritz went 7-10 at number one doubles with Kaitlyn Roberts, while Huffine was 9-8 at number two doubles with Zayra Gomez. Both were 4-2 in the ASC.
In addition to her solid play at doubles, Gomez was stellar at number five singles, compiling an 11-4 mark. She was also 5-1 in conference play. Briana Perez notched a 9-5 record at number six singles, including 5-1 in the ASC, as well.
Overall, McMurry posted a 9-8 mark and 4-2 record in the ASC. McMurry went 3-3 against tournament teams during the regular season. The War Hawks are seeking their second ASC championship, with the first coming in 1999.
After the quarterfinals Thursday, the semifinals are slated for Friday with the championship Saturday.
