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MIDLAND, Texas (Tennis) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (7-6) went 1-1 on the final day of the inaugural West Texas Collegiate Tennis Shootout at the Bush Tennis Center, defeating Sul Ross State University (0-6), 9-0, before falling to No. 46 Newman University (12-0), 6-3.
 
Paula Saenz went 2-0 in doubles action and 2-0 in singles No. 5 Saturday to improve to 6-4 in singles and 5-7 in doubles play in 2015.
 
Game One
The Javelinas took all three doubles matches to head into singles play leading 3-0. Mariaxi Herrera and Marija Dimitrovska won in doubles No. 1, 8-3, Paula Saenz and Erika Larrea and Tabata Lua and Nadia Grlj took No. 2 and No. 3, 8-0, respectively.
 
In singles action, Herrera dominated in flight No. 1, 8-1 and Grlj, Saenz and Larrea blanked singles No. 2-4, 8-0.
 
Heading into the final match of the two-day tournament, the Javelinas went 3-0.
 
Game Two
No. 46 Newman handed the Javelinas their first loss in four matches, but the Hogs did not go down without a fight as Herrera upset No. 17 Kate Bugayenko in a battle of South Central Regional ranked opponents, 6-4, 6-1, becoming the first student-athlete to knock off Bugayenko in singles No. 1 this season. Saenz added a tiebreaking win versus Courtney Dold, 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 and Dimitrovska nearly upset the now 10-0 Tamar Tskhakaia in a three-set thriller in flight No. 3.
 
Saenz and Larrea earned an 8-2 win in doubles No. 3, but in singles play, Larrea fell for the first time in 2015, as Carissa Villaflor improved to 8-0 on the year.
 
On the year, Herrera is 9-3 in singles No. 1 and now has a four-match win streak, with Larrea boasting an 8-1 mark. Dimitrovska and Saenz each have six wins and Grlj is 5-7. In doubles play, Herrera and Dimitrovska are almost guaranteed to be ranked in the upcoming Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II rankings – set to be released on Wednesday, March 18 – with a 9-4 mark as the No. 1 tandem. The duo of Grlj and Lua are 6-6 with Saenz and Larrea at 5-7.
 
The Javelinas head to the Sunshine State to take on No. 45 Florida Southern College, State University of New York at Geneseo, No. 43 University of Tampa, State College of Florida and Bluefield State College in a three-day span, beginning on Tuesday, March 17.
 
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