Wildcats Battle in 4-0 Loss at SMU

FORT WORTH – Abilene Christian claimed one set and was leading another in two unfinished matches but lost its season opener at SMU, 4-0, on Thursday.
 
"I think we were a little nervous in doubles at first but once we knocked the rust off, we played well," said ACU Head Coach Bryan Rainwater. "This was our first time outside this semester. Sometimes, when we've played some of these bigger schools, we see the name on the chest and we're a little afraid to go after them. I thought we really went after them in singles."
 
Olivia Sears claimed the first set at No. 3 singles, 6-1, and was down 3-2 in the second when the SMU had clinched the match.
 
"I told the team not to be nervous and Olivia just ate that up and went after her opponent," Rainwater said.
 
Maryjoe Crisologo and Masha Vrsalovic fell to a pair of ranked opponents at Nos. 1 and 2, and Andrea Guerrero fell at No. 4 to finish the singles, each taking two games.
 
"MJ and Masha both played tough matches against some top-ranked opponents," said Rainwater. "Those were two tough matches to open the season."
 
Maria Cascos was down 6-4, 4-1 at line five and Eva Arranz had rallied from a 6-2 loss and led 5-2 in the second set of line six when play ended.
 
"Maria really battled in that first set and loss, but had some opportunities to win the set," said Rainwater. "Eva had a really tough first set but began to turn the corner. When the second set started, she was all in. I believe she would have gotten the win there."
 
Andrea Guerrero and Arranz were down just 4-3 in third doubles when SMU had clinched the team point. Crisologo and Cascos lost 6-3.
 
"Our two and three doubles played with a little confidence today and finished really well," Rainwater said.
 
The Wildcats open the home schedule on Saturday, hosting Texas-San Antonio at 1 p.m. in the Teague Special Event Center.