Tennis teams bow out of LSC tourney

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (April 21) – Coach James Helvey's Aggie men's tennis team had no problem with Southeastern Oklahoma in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Championships Thursday. But Cameron faltered in the semifinals, enduring an overnight rain delay before yeilding to host Midwestern State, 5-2.

Cameron's women fell 5-2 in Thursday's quarterfinals to MSU, as well.

Cameron took a 2-1 lead in doubles play during the men's match with Midwestern, which began on Thursday afternoon. But rain moved into the Wichita Falls area, forcing play to be halted for the remainder of the day. When play resumed Friday morning, Cameron's momentum was gone and the Mustangs cruised through singles play to earn the win.

The Aggies held second-set leads in two unfinished matches - Rafael Zurita was one set from closing out MSU's Gene Ligeon in the No. 4 match, while Nicolas Macheroni was looking to force a third set against Zac Dillard at No. 5. But MSU won the remaining singles matches in straight sets to end the match.

In Thurday's opening round, Cameron again got off to a good start against Southeastern, winning two of three doubles matches. The Aggies got singles victories from Tin Hinst, Jordi Mullor and Rafael Zurita to close out the match, with the three combining to surrender just seven total games against their Savage Storm opponents. Cameron held convincing leads in each of the three unfinished singles matches, as well.

Thatianne Moreira and Kim Romero combined to win the No. 1 doubles match when the Lady Aggies faced MSU in Thursday's women's quarterfinals. But the Mustangs captured the remaining two doubles matches.

Viviana Seca recorded Cameron's only singles victory, topping MSU's Michelle Watson, 6-4, 6-4, in the No. 4 match.

Cameron is expected to continue play in two weeks, following the announcement of NCAA postseason regional pairings.