Baylor Overpowers TCU Women’s Tennis

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WACO, Texas – TCU’s women’s tennis team dropped its first match of the season Wednesday, falling 6-1 to No. 5 Baylor at the Hurd Tennis Center.

In the matchup of future Big 12 opponents, No. 47 ranked-TCU dropped to 3-1 on the year, while Baylor improved to 9-0.

“My hats off to Baylor, they played really well,” TCU coach Dave Borelli said. “To say we did not play well is really an understatement. I think we are much more capable than we showed today. It’s tough when that happens but the goal of a team is to keep getting better. In the next six or eight weeks, we’ll keep getting better.

“There were positives though. Kelsey Sundaram was outstanding in doubles. I was in awe of how well she played doubles. Gaby Mastromarino was very good as well in singles. Some of the other girls did not play as well as they can and they pressed a little too much. I understand tennis and where we have to go and I believe we’re capable of playing with a top-ranked team. I’m excited to see where we’ll be in six weeks.”

The Bears struck first in doubles, scoring wins at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles to clinch the point. After the point was clinched, TCU’s No. 57-ranked duo of Federica Denti and Kelsey Sundram carried over their solid play in Waco from the fall.

On Wednesday, the Frog tandem took down Megan Horter and Nina Secerbegovic by a score of 8-5. Last fall, Denti and Sundaram claimed the HEB Baylor Invitational in Waco.

In singles, the fifth-ranked Bears proved worthy of their lofty ranking with straight-set wins at the Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 positions. At No. 1 singles, #114 Smith hung tough in the second set with the nation’s No. 14 player, Diana Nakic until falling 6-1, 7-5.

TCU scored its lone point when Gaby Mastromarino gutted out a three-set win at No. 6 singles, with the third coming in a super tiebreaker. The Jupiter, Fla., native was a 7-5, 2-6, 1-0 (9) winner. Mastromarino is 3-0 in singles this season.

The Frogs return to action Feb. 8 when they host North Texas at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center.