TYLER, Texas — Southwestern women's tennis faced the top-ranked junior college in the nation, losing to the Tyler Junior College Apache 8-1 in their second of two matches on Saturday. 

Esther Bowers and Nina Elez opened with a loss to Lauren Anzalotta and Destinee Martins in No. 1 doubles. Nina Mitrofanove and Emma Kesterson, along with Alli Ziehm and Mariana Quetzery, lost 8-3 matches in No. 2 and 3 doubles. 

"Alli and Mariana were scrappy and battled to the very end. I'm so proud of both and their fight," Porter said. 

Sydney Wahl picked up another big victory, defeating Momoko Yoshimura in three sets (1-6, 7-5, 10-5) in No. 5 doubles. Ziehm lost a hard-fought second set in No. 6 singles. 

"Sydney continues to find ways to win and pulled out another huge victory. She's now 5-0 against scholarship schools this year," Porter said. "Alli lost a tough one but never gave up when it would have been so easy after losing the first set and restarting after a 90-minute lightning delay." 

Elez lost to Apisah 6-0, 6-1 in No. 3 singles, Mitrofanova lost to Martins 6-2, 6-1 in the No. 1 spot, Bowers was bested by Lauren Anzalotta 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 singles, and Despriet lost 6-1, 6-0 in No. 4 singles. 

With the loss, Southwestern drops to 8-4. The Pirates will host Schreiner on Thursday, April 1, at 5:00 p.m.