HOUSTON, Texas - Sophomore Rachel Loftin's 18 kills and nine blocks were not enough as Texas Wesleyan fell to Houston Baptist, 3-1, Saturday afternoon in the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament final.

     Texas Wesleyan (28-5) held close in game one, but the Lady Huskies pulled it out, 33-31. In game two the Lady Rams dominated Houston Baptist, 30-18, to even the match at 1-1.

     With the score tied 22-22, Houston Baptist rallied off four straight points and took game three, 30-25, and a 2-1 lead.

     Texas Wesleyan started off game four with numerous miscues that eventually did them in, as Houston Baptist took the game, 30-19, and the victory.

    "We played great in the first two games, but let down the last part of game three and in game four," head coach Rick Johansen said. "We couldn't get our hitting game going the last part of the match. It is tough to win if that isn't going for you."

     Junior Tiffany Porterfield tallied 15 kills and nine blocks, while junior Cortney Johansen dished out 41 assists. Sophomore Susan Taylor led all players with 22 digs and junior Nicky Davis had 11 kills and nine blocks.

     The Lady Rams will be back in action Friday, when they open the Region VI tournament in Houston, Texas. They will be taking on conference-rival UT-Permian Basin at 11 a.m. in the quarterfinals. The match can be heard live on www.ramsports.net.