WACO, Texas – The Baylor women's tennis doubles pairing of Ema Burgic and Blair Shankle had its season ended with a three-set defeat in the NCAA Doubles Championship quarterfinals Saturday at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center.
After picking up two wins to start its NCAA run, the 14th-ranked BU duo fell short against Alabama's No. 1 ranked pairing of Maya Jansen and Erin Routliffe, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. The loss drops the BU tandem's record to 13-5 on the season.
In the first set, BU broke both Routliffe and Jansen to gain a 3-2 advantage and never looked back. The pairing got a hold from Burgic and then another break to take a 5-2 lead, before the Crimson Tide responded with two game wins. Burgic then closed out the first set with a hold.
In the second set, Burgic and Shankle again broke for a 2-1 advantage, before the two teams traded holds for 3-3. The Alabama duo then held and broke Shankle for a 5-3 edge. The BU tandem didn't go quietly as it broke and Burgic held to tie things at 5-5. However, the Crimson Tide would hold and then break Shankle again to claim the second set 7-5.
In the third and deciding set, the momentum turned in Alabama's favor as the Crimson Tide rolled to a 6-1 triumph.
TOP QUOTE #1
“Blair and Ema did great to win that first set. They came in to the match with a really good mindset. A team of that caliber is going to make adjustments. They made a few adjustments and unfortunately we didn't stay with it and compete. You are not going to beat a team like that in straight sets. It is going to be tough. I felt we just let down a little bit and got caught up in the moment.“ – head coach Joey Scrivano on the doubles loss
TOP QUOTE #2
“This was probably the best four years of my life. Everything that I have experienced here and accomplished, the people I have met – I will never forget it. Unfortunately, it came to an end, but everything comes to an end eventually. I am starting a new chapter in my life and am excited for that. I think I am ready and Baylor has helped me a lot. I am looking forward to it.” – Ema Burgic on the day
“We played very aggressive and smart at the same time. We lobbed when we needed to, and we took the balls away from them, like the net balls. It was a good first set, and a tough second set. Then, they really started playing well in the third, and got us on a couple that we should have executed a little better.” – Shankle on the doubles loss
WHAT'S NEXT
The loss concludes Baylor's 2014-2015 season.
Follow the official Twitter account of the team: @BaylorWTennis for an inside look at the team with scores, notes and stories.