HUNTSVILLE ? Ashley Ellis came back from a set down and fought off several match points to score the decisive victory at number two singles as Texas State-San Marcos defeated Sam Houston State 4-3 in a Southland Conference women's tennis dual match Sunday at McAdams Courts.

Ellis defeated Giorgia Pozzan 4-6 6-2 7-5. The Bobcats also took the doubles point by a narrow margin, winning the number two and three doubles both by scores of 9-7.

Irina Sotnikova continued her winning ways at number one singles, defeating Andrea Giraldo 6-2 7-6. Sotnikova now stands 21-1 for the season. The senior also paired with Peta Taylor for an 8-3 win at number one doubles. The two are 22-2 this season.

Taylor won 6-1 6-3 over Nyssa Peele at number three singles and Paty Manzur won at number four over Lainy Chafitz 6-2 6-3.

Kiki Kruse and Mackenzie Farmer won at number five and six singles, respectively, for the Bobcats.

Texas State-San Marcos stands 7-5 for the year and 4-3 in Southland Conference action. Sam Houston dropped to 7-6 for the season and 2-3 in league play. Next up for the Bearkats is a road swing Saturday and Sunday to Texas-San Antonio and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

TX St.-San Marcos vs Sam Houston State

Mar 29, 2009 at Huntsville, tX

TX St.-San Marcos 4, Sam Houston State 3

 Singles competition

1. Irina Sotnikova (SHSU) def. Andrea Giraldo (TXST) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)

2. Ashley Ellis (TXST) def. Giorgia Pozzan (SHSU) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5

3. Peta Taylor (SHSU) def. Nyssa Peele (TXST) 6-1, 6-3

4. Paty Manzur (SHSU) def. Lainy Chafitz (TXST) 6-2, 6-3

5. Kiki Kruse (TXST) def. Eleonora Kuruc (SHSU) 6-2, 6-2

6. Mackenzie Farmer (TXST) def. Lilit Martirosyan (SHSU) 6-3, 6-4

 Doubles competition

1. Irina Sotnikova/Peta Taylor (SHSU) def. Lainy Chafitz/Andrea Giraldo (TXST) 8-3

2. Ashley Ellis/Nyssa Peele (TXST) def. Paty Manzur/Giorgia Pozzan (SHSU) 9-7

3. Mackenzie Farmer/Kiki Kruse (TXST) def. Eleonora Kuruc/Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) 9-7