Despite a roaring start on Sunday, Colorado College headed home from the Lone Star State without tasting victory.

The visiting Tigers opened their SCAC match against Southwestern University by prevailing at No. 1 and 2 doubles, but couldn't get the big singles triumph they needed while ultimately dropping a 5-4 decision in Georgetown, Texas. 

Senior Katie Patterson won twice for CC, which dropped to 4-12 overall for the season and 0-3 in conference play.

Patterson and freshman Maddie Cahill-Sanidas got things rolling in the right direction by winning their No. 2 doubles match, 8-4, before junior Maggie Harwood and senior team captain Maddy Bush toughed out an 8-6 victory at No. 1.

Senior Caila Criss and freshman Gillian Hyde put up a courageous battle at No. 3 doubles before falling by a 9-7 count, and the Pirates were able to stay in contention heading into the singles competition.

Patterson and Criss beat their opponents in straight sets at No. 1 and 3 singles. 

"The girls fought hard in this match, and it's a few points here and there that separated us," said head coach Anthony Weber. "Our seniors really stepped up, with Katie winning in both doubles and singles, Caila taking a singles match, and Maddy helping hold down the 1 doubles spot."

Despite a 9-0 loss at Trinity University 24 hours earlier, Weber also was impressed with his team's performance in the second of three road matches in as many days, calling it one of the best matches that Colorado College has played all season. 

"We had chances to take some doubles points, and pushed Trinity in a few singles sets," he said. "Maggie (Harwood) played one of the best matches in her career as a Tiger, hammering groundstrokes off both sides, and aggressively playing short balls."

Harwood dropped a tough first set at No. 2 singles, eventually falling by a 7-5, 6-1 count after she and Bush came up just short, 9-7, in their No. 1 doubles match.

Southwestern 5, CC 4
Singles
1. Katie Patterson (CC) def. Aimee Blake 6-2, 7-6
2. Gabby Hunt (SU) def. Maggie Harwood 6-1, 6-2
3. Caila Criss (CC) def. Elizabeth Ellis 6-3, 6-2
4. Marieke Visser (SU) def. Maddie Cahill-Sanidas 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
5. Heba Abdul (SU) def. Gillian Hyde 6-3, 6-2
6. Virginia Stofer (SU) def. Rachel Severson 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
1. Harwood/Bush (CC) def. Blake/Ellis 8-6
2. Patterson/Cahill-Sanidas def. Stofer-Hunt 8-4
3. Abdul/Visser (SU) def. Criss/Hyde 9-7

Trinity 9, CC 0
Singles
1. Kylie Hornbeck (TU) def. Katie Patterson 6-1, 6-3
2. Lavinia Bendandi (TU) def. Maggie Harwood 7-5, 6-1
3. Stephanie Williamson (TU) def. Caila Criss 6-4, 6-1
4. Kathleen Lundquist (TU) def. Maddie Cahill-Sanidas 6-0, 6-1
5. Michelle Gun-Munro (TU) def. Gillian Hyde 6-4, 6-2
6. Laura Roa (TU) def. Rachel Severson 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Lundquist/Bendandi (TU) def. Harwood/Bush 9-7
2. Hornbeck/Willimason (TU) def. Patterson/Cahill-Sanidas 8-2
3. Roa/Gun-Munro (TU) def. Criss/Hyde 8-6