University of Houston Athletics
Severance Signs JC National Player of the Year
5/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
May 16, 2005
HOUSTON - Head coach John Severance of the University of Houston tennis team announced on Monday the signing of Maria (Loli) Aguirre-Gomez, the junior college national champion, to the Cougars' 2005 team.
The addition of Gomez strengthens a Houston squad that under Severance, a first-year head coach, went 17-10 to produce the most successful season for Houston since 1997.
"We are very excited for Loli to join our tennis program," said Severance. "She'll be a tremendous asset to this program and the direction it is headed."
Gomez comes to the Cougars after playing two years at Lee College where she was named the 2005 NJCAA Junior College Player of the Year, and won the J.C. national singles title last Thursday in Tucson, Arizona.
"Loli has a great style of play and a real great tennis composure that will fit well with this team," said Severance.
A native of Spain, Gomez will be a junior when she joins the Cougars, and Severance believes she will be able to step in and immediately fill the hole left by departing seniors Biljana Dimovska and Diana Martin. "I expect her to contribute at a very high level and be one of the leaders on the team," said Severance of Gomez' ability to help the team.
