LUBBOCK, Texas (April 3, 2025) – No. 19 Lubbock Christian University secured a crucial Lone Star Conference victory Thursday morning, defeating No. 44 St. Mary's 5-2 at the Penny Gullo Tennis Center. The Lady Chaparrals (12-4, 2-1 LSC) used a strong doubles performance and a late singles surge to hand the Rattlers (10-2, 2-1 LSC) their first conference loss of the season.
 
LCU claimed the doubles point in dramatic fashion. Axelle Jacquemin and Andrea De Bernardo, ranked No. 16 nationally, set the tone with a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles over Janel Ospanova and Stela Sifuentes. St. Mary's responded at No. 3 doubles, where Paula Garrote and Alessia Terlizzi defeated Oshini Herath and Mariia Koroleva 6-4. With the opening point on the line, AnaMaria Zoric and Anastasiia Opolska edged out Gia Posito and Selina Wu in a tense 7-6 (8-6 tiebreaker) battle at No. 2 doubles to give LCU the 1-0 lead.
 
In singles play, LCU extended its advantage as Zoric quickly dispatched Sifuentes 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6 singles. St. Mary's responded as Wu, ranked No. 53 nationally, controlled No. 32 Opolska 6-3, 6-1 at the top position. The Rattlers then pulled even when Terlizzi posted a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Jacquemin at No. 3 singles.
 
The Chaparrals regained control at No. 4 and No. 5 singles. Koroleva outlasted Garrote in a 7-5, 6-2 decision, while Maya Adler delivered a dominant 6-4, 6-1 win over Posito to clinch the dual for LCU. In the final match, De Bernardo secured the fifth point with a 6-4, 2-6, 10-7 victory over Ospanova in a super tiebreaker at No. 2 singles.
 
Key contributors for LCU included Zoric, who went 2-0 on the day, and De Bernardo, who delivered the clinching singles win after also teaming with Jacquemin to win in doubles. Zoric's singles win marked her fourth consecutive win. She is 15-3 overall in singles play this season, posting a 14-1 record in duals.
 
LCU remains home Sunday at noon hosting UT Permian Basin for another Lone Star Conference dual at Penny Gullo Tennis Center.