JACKSONVILLE – Gamecock women's tennis lost both of their weekend matches on the road. They were blanked at North Alabama, 4-0, on Saturday, then saw a late comeback fall short at Murray State, 4-3, on Sunday. 
 
North Alabama (8-2) exacted revenge on Jacksonville State (5-7) in Saturday's pairing in Florence. The Red-and-White downed the Lions in 2023 but did not find similar success at the UNA Tennis Courts this weekend. Although Irene Artigas and Serafima Shastova held a 5-4 advantage in No. 3 doubles, two-on-two wins on courts one and two handed the opening point to the home team. 
 
The Lions then added three quick singles wins on courts two, three, and four to close out the rivalry match. Artigas picked up a win in the first set of her outing at No. 5 singles, but it was too little, too late for the Gamecocks.
 
Jax State battled down the stretch with an accomplished Murray State (7-2) team on Sunday in the Bluegrass State. Michael Helms' squad again found themselves trailing entering singles action after falling in the top two doubles flights. 
 
The Racers raced out to a 3-0 lead before Jacksonville State began to battle back. Shastova, the defending ASUN Freshman of the Year, scored a 6-2, 7-5 result on court two and Dariana Prato came from behind to down MSU's Varvara Alexeyeva, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, in No. 4 singles. Artigas would complete the comeback as well in the fifth showdown, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, but a loss in the final affair would clinch the match for Murray State. 
 
Jacksonville State has lost three matches in a row but will hit the road again next weekend looking to turn the tide. They'll play matches against Louisiana Tech and Grambling State in Ruston, La., on Saturday, then face off against UL Monroe on Sunday. Their road trip will conclude with a contest at New Orleans, on Tues., March 19.
 
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