SAN MARCOS -- Despite a victory at number one singles by Irina Sotnikova that earned her the Sam Houston State school record for most career singles victories, the Bearkats lost a Southland Conference dual match to Texas State-San Marcos Sunday afternoon at the Bobcat Tennis Center.

The difference in the match came down to the number three doubles pro set, where Sam Houston's pairing was up 6-4 before losing 8-6. Combined with Sotnikova and Peta Taylor's victory in the number one doubles, the win at number three would have given the doubles point to the Bearkats.

Sam Houston and Texas State-San Marcos split singles, with Sotnikova, Taylor, and Roxana Martinez winning at one, three, and six. The loss drops the Bearkats to 4-2 in Southland Conference action.

"If we can't close out a doubles match leading 6-4, we probably don't to deserve to win," Head Coach Jim Giachino. "This was a tough loss."

Sotnikova. who stands 15-10 in singles this season, now holds a 58-22 career record in her three years as a Bearkat. The junior from Riga, Latvia, surpassed Lata Assudani who rolled up a 57-39 record from 2005 to 2007.

Sotnikova and Taylor also produced their 23rd doubles win of the season, tying the single season record for a Bearkat partnership set originally by Robyn Bassett and Vladka Uhlirova in 1999. Sotnikova and Taylor stand 23-7 at number one doubles this year.

Sotnikova already owns the Sam Houston career doubles victory total record for wins with all partners. She is 67-17 during her three years. Assudani also held that record coming into the 2007-08 season with a career mark of 58-28.

Tennis Match Results
Sam Houston State vs Texas State-San Marcos
Mar 31, 2008 at San Marcos, TX

Texas State-San Marcos 5, Sam Houston State 4

 Singles competition
1. Irina Sotnikova (SHSU) def. Andrea Giraldo (TXST) 7-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8)
2. Rabea Hartmann (TXST) def. Eleonora Kuruc (SHSU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Peta Taylor (SHSU) def. Ashley Ellis (TXST) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
4. Lainy Chafitz (TXST) def. Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Ali Gulida (TXST) def. Patricia Manzur (SHSU) 7-6, 6-3
6. Roxana Martinez (SHSU) def. Mackenzie Farmer (TXST) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-6)

 Doubles competition
1. Irina Sotnikova/Peta Taylor (SHSU) def. Andrea Giraldo/Rabea Hartmann (TXST) 8-6
2. Lainy Chafitz/Ashley Ellis (TXST) def. Roxana Martinez/Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) 8-6
3. Mackenzie Farmer/Ali Gulida (TXST) def. Eleonora Kuruc/Patricia Manzur (SHSU) 8-6