SAN MARCOS – Senior Paula Cerda and freshman India Fenieys each picked up singles victories and the Sam Houston Bearkats notched their fourth consecutive doubles point in a non-conference battle with Texas State Saturday. 

But the Bobcats battled back to win the Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 6 singles slots for a narrow 4-3 comeback victory. Texas State had to go three sets in two of their singles victories to edge the Kats. 

The loss to the former Southland Conference rival was the first in four matches this season for the Kats. Sam Houston opened with three victories last weekend in Huntsville. The Bobcats upped their record to 2-1. 

"There were positives today but there were several areas where we need to improve," Sam Houston head coach Rob Hubbard said. "Our competitiveness in some of the matches is a concern." 

Cerda rallied after dropping her first set to defeat Callie Creath 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the No. 2 singles position. Fenieys defeated Sofia Fortuno in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 in the No. 4 contest. She also is unbeaten in three outings this spring. 

Linn Svaerd and Sahithi Vutukuru topped Jaden Chan and Callie Creath 6-4 in the No. 3 doubles to give each squad at a set victory. Megan Basson and Cerda clinched the doubles with a 6-4 defeat of Mae McCuthcon and Emily Niers in the number one doubles spot. 

The contest with the Bobcats originally was scheduled for Friday but was moved to Saturday due to rain. The meeting marked the 35th time the two longtime rivals have battled in a women's tennis dual match.

Sam Houston will travel south to San Antonio Sunday to take on another former Southland Conference foe when they duel UTSA at 1 p.m. at the Roadrunners' tennis facility. 

"Winning our fourth doubles point in four matches was a high point," Hubbard said. "We've other areas where we need to get better and that's what we will be looking for Sunday in San Antonio." 

TEXAS STATE 4, SAM HOUSTON 3 
February 3, 2024 at San Marcos (Bobcat Courts) 
Records: Sam Houston 3-1 Texas State 2-1 

Singles competition 
 1. Kiana Graham (TXST) def. Megan Basson (SHSU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 
 2. Paula Cerda (SHSU) def. Callie Creath (TXST) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 
 3. Emily Niers (TXST) def. Sahithi Vutukuru (SHSU) 6-2, 6-3 
 4. India Fenieys (SHSU) def. Sofia Fortuno (TXST) 7-5, 6-3 
 5. Andrea Pineda (TXST) def. Aaliyah Hohmann (SHSU) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 
 6. Maria Lora (TXST) def. Vianne Schwab (SHSU) 6-3, 6-1 

Doubles Point  
1. Megan Basson/Paula Cerda (SHSU) def. Mae McCuthcon/Emily Niers (TXST) 6-4 
2. Sofia Fortuno/Maria Lora (TXST) def. India Fenieys/Aaliyah Hohmann (SHSU) 6-1 
3. Linn Svaerd/Sahithi Vutukuru (SHSU) def. Jaden Chan/Callie Creath (TXST) 6-4