March 14, 2008

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Texas State finished its spring break trip west to California with a close 6-1 loss to UC-Riverside.

Sumarie Muller's 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 win from the No. 6 spot proved to be the lone point for the `Cats (5-7), but nearly every match went down to the wire.

In doubles play, UC-Riverside clinched the point with tight 8-6 and 8-7 wins in the top two doubles matches.

Close matches extended into singles play, beginning with Erynne Oki winning a close match 6-4, 6-4 over Texas State's Andrea Giraldo. Ashley Ellis nearly pulled the Bobcats within a point, winning game one 6-1 before losing 3-6 and 6-7 to UC-Riverside's H.R. Espiritu.

Lainy Chafitz also saw her No. 3 singles match go to a tiebreaker, but Chafitz lost 1-6, 7-5, (9-11) to seal the win for the Highlanders.

Texas State heads back to the Lone Star State, where they will conclude their road trip at Rice on March 22.