TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler tennis opened up Lone Star Conference action against Lubbock Christian on Saturday, with the women taking a key win and the men falling just short.
 
WOMEN'S MATCH: #27 UT Tyler 5 | Lubbock Christian 2
 
Lubbock Christian got rolling to begin the match, taking the doubles point and a 1-0 lead into singles, leaning on a 6-2 win line #3 and a 6-4 win in line #1.
 
In singles, the Patriots completely flipped the script. Natalia Gorzny took a 6-2, 6-3 win to even up the match, and Paula Castellanos added a 7-5, 6-3 win to put the Patriots ahead 2-1, which turned into a lead they would hold on for good.
 
Claudia Di Leonardo cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 win in line #5 to put the Patriots up 3-1, and Yona Bancarel ensured the Patriots would get the win as she closed out a 7-5, 6-1 win in line #1.
 
The Lady Chaps got just one win in singles, coming in the #6 line, but the Patriots added the exclamation point with a 6-2, 6-3 win to win five of the six singles matches and take a 5-2 win.
 
MEN'S MATCH: #7 UT Tyler 2 | #14 Lubbock Christian 5
 
Just as they did in the women's match, the Chaps got off to a hot start in doubles, taking both the #3 and #2 lines to push themselves ahead 1-0 heading into singles action.
 
They kept up the momentum there, adding a straight sets win in the #2 line to double their lead. Another came in the #6 line, making it a 3-0 match and putting the Patriots on the ropes.
 
Samuel Antwi kept the Patriots alive after a three set thriller in his match. He split the opening two sets at 6-3, 0-6, but responded with another 6-3 win in set three to put the Patriots on the board.
 
Artiom Dorofeev battled back in the #1 line after dropping the first set 2-6 with a 6-3 win in set two, but ultimately the Chaps took a 6-4 win in the third set to ensure they had the four points for the win.
 
Daniil Felker would add the second point of the match for the men, taking a 7-5, 7-6 (10-8) marathon in the #5 line. Lubbock Christian would add one more win in line #3, moving the final score to 5-2.
 
UT Tyler will be back in action on Sunday, where they will take on UT Permian Basin right back at the Summers Tennis Center. The women's match is scheduled for 11 a.m., while the men's match is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.