Cowgirls Blank Howard Payne To Advance To ASC Finals

ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons’ women’s tennis advanced to the American Southwest Conference finals with a 5-0 win over Howard Payne Saturday afternoon at McMurry.

The Cowgirls swept through doubles action and won the first set in all six singles matches. Lisa Mertz at No. 1 singled finished off Laci Fitzgerald, 6-2, 6-1 and Danielle Cochran won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 6 singles.

HSU will look to avenge last season’s ASC Tournament loss to Texas-Tyler. That loss snapped HSU’s ASC winning streak in ASC action at 75 and snapped HSU’s seven-year reign as conference champions.

In an earlier meeting this season, HSU defeated UTT by a score of 6-3. The Cowgirls are now 12-4 on the year. Howard Payne ends the season with a record of 10-6.

The match will start at approximately 3:30 after the men's finals.

Hardin-Simmons 5, Howard Payne 0
Singles
1. Lisa Mertz (HSUW) def. Laci Fitzgearld (HPUW) 6-2, 6-1
2. Morgan Rainer (HSUW) vs. Kayla Smith (HPUW) 2-6, 3-3, unfinished
3. Brittany Brazell (HSUW) vs. Kathryn Head (HPUW) 6-4, 3-0, unfinished
4. Lauren Jay (HSUW) vs. Kori Stark (HPUW) 7-5, 1-0, unfinished
5. Jennifer Cheung (HSUW) vs. Cassie Emerson (HPUW) 6-2, 5-4, unfinished
6. Danielle Cochran (HSUW) def. Kandace Schuelke (HPUW) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Lisa Mertz/Brittany Brazell (HSUW) def. Kayla Smith/Cassie Emerson (HPUW) 8-3
2. Jennifer Cheung/Diane Crouch (HSUW) def. Kathryn Head/Kori Stark (HPUW) 8-5
3. Bria Camarillo/Danielle Cochran (HSUW) def. Laci Fitzgearld/Kandace Schuelke (HPUW) 8-6

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