TROY, Ala. – The Jacksonville State women's tennis team took a pair of sets from Troy on Monday, but the comeback began too late as the Gamecocks fell 5-2 to the in-state rival.
 
Jax State (5-5) was not able to overcome a 3-0 deficit despite the efforts of Dariana Prato and Harriet Hamilton. The Trojans (4-5) jumped out to their quick lead by besting the Gamecocks 2-1 for the doubles point and taking the next three of four singles contests.
 
Charlie Croteau and Hamilton won 6-4 at No. 2 doubles, but the set was sandwiched by 6-4 and 7-6 Troy wins at No. 1 and No. 3 for the first point of the afternoon.
 
Trailing 3-0 following wins by the Trojans' Anastas Khrustaleva and Kristina Kukaras at No. 6 and 5, respectively, Prato got the Gamecocks on the board with a win at No. 4. The freshman outdueled Michelle Ncube 6-2 in both sets for her sixth win of the season. Prato is now 6-3 on the season and has won six of her last seven decisions.
 
Hamilton salvaged a second point for JSU, winning 7-5 and 6-4 over Anastasii Khokhlova at No. 2, but the win came one game too late. Matea Mihaljevic's in at No. 1 over Carolina Bulatovic secured the win for the Trojans first.
 
Hamilton improved 9-1 for the year with her win, stretching her winning streak to six matches.
 
The Gamecocks face one more out-of-conference test before beginning Ohio Valley competition. Southern Miss visits Jacksonville on Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m. Almost a week later, the Gamecocks open OVC play when they host Eastern Illinois on Friday, March 19.
 
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