ABILENE, Texas – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas continued to make strides in their inaugural women's tennis season with two matches against strong opponents Saturday in Abilene.
UST traveled to the campuses of Hardin-Simmons and McMurry, both member institutions of the American Southwest Conference.
The Celts' Ana Maria Gonzalez was the team's big winner on Saturday, as she was victorious in three of the four matches she played. She claimed UST's lone point in the morning match at Hardin-Simmons, winning her flight two singles match by scores of 7-6 (7-5) and 6-4 over Landry Laywell.
In the afternoon match at McMurry, Gonzalez teamed with Alejandra Lopez (pictured) in flight one doubles competition, where they defeated Claire Hillyer and Hope Turner 8-5. In singles play, Gonzalez was again UST's flight two competitor; she defeated Neah Garza 6-4, 6-1.
The Celts return to action Saturday, Feb. 29, when they host Mary Hardin-Baylor. First serves are scheduled for 11 a.m.
Hardin-Simmons 8, St. Thomas 1
Singles
1. Kaitlyn Hathorn (HSU) def. Alejandra Lopez (UST) 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-2)
2. Ana Maria Gonzalez (UST) def. Landry Laywell (HSU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
3. Lauren Schaeffer (HSU) def. Alyssa Davila (UST) 6-0, 6-2
4. Maddie Hammond (HSU) def. Asan Atilla (UST) 6-1, 6-0
5. Priscilla Schimming (HSU) def. Callighan Ard (UST) 6-0, 6-0
6. Abigail Kendall (HSU) def. Anna Ta (UST) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
1. Kaitlyn Hathorn/Lauren Schaeffer (HSU) def. Ana Maria Gonzalez/Alejandra Lopez (UST) 8-1
2. Landry Laywell/Priscilla Schimming (HSU) def. Callighan Ard/Asan Atilla (UST) 8-4
3. Maddie Hammond/Abigail Kendall (HSU) def. Alyssa Davila/Anna Ta (UST) 8-1
McMurry 7, St. Thomas 2
Singles
1. Claire Hillyer (MCM) def. Alejandra Lopez (UST) 6-4, 6-4
2. Ana Maria Gonzalez (UST) def. Neah Garza (MCM) 6-4, 6-1
3. Gabrielle Ellwanger (MCM) def. Alyssa Davila (UST) 6-4, 6-1
4. Morgan Parnell (MCM) def. Asan Atilla (UST) 6-4, 6-2
5. Hope Turner (MCM) def. Callighan Ard (UST) 7-5, 6-1
6. Kiara Jones (MCM) def. Anna Ta (UST) 3-6, 7-6 (2-0), 10-3
Doubles
1. Alejandra Lopez/Ana Maria Gonzalez (UST) def. Claire Hillyer/Hope Turner (MCM) 8-5
2. Neah Garza/Gabrielle Ellwanger (MCM) def. Asan Atilla/Callighan Ard (UST) 8-0
3. Morgan Parnell/Kiara Jones (MCM) def. Anna Ta/Alyssa Davila (UST) 8-5
