University of Houston
Tulane
Tennis Rallies for Win against Conference USA-Rival Tulane
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Feb. 20, 2009
HOUSTON - Falling behind early, the University of Houston tennis team rallied to take a 5-2 win Friday against Conference USA-rival Tulane at the John E. Hoff Courts.
Playing at No. 2, the Cougars' doubles team of Jordan McCombs and Laura Ring claimed an 8-5 win over Liz Hamlin-Marcela Fonseca. However, that would be the only win in doubles play the Cougars would earn, giving Tulane an early 1-0 lead.
In singles competition, sophomore Laura Ring, who continues to recover from a hip injury, made her debut at No. 1 but dropped a 6-3, 6-0 decision to Mariam Kurdadze. However, that would be the last victory the Green Wave would earn the rest of the day.
The Cougars' No. 2 through No. 6 players rattled off five straight wins - including a pair of three-set thrillers - in singles play to take the team win.
Playing at No. 3, Lynley Wasson earned a 6-1, 6-1 win over Liz Hamlin, while freshman Alix Young enjoyed a 6-3, 6-4 win against Jessica Lange at the No. 6 spot. Senior Vicky Simpson grabbed a 6-2, 6-4 win against Caroline Gerber at No. 5.
At the No. 2 spot, sophomore Joanna Kacprzyk also fell behind early but clinched the fourth point and the team win with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory against Linday Dvorak. Sophomore Lucy Forward capped the day with a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win against Marcela Fonseca at the No. 4 position.
"I tell our team before every match that we don't need the doubles point. We're going to win four singles matches," said head coach John Severance, who is in his fifth season at UH. "Today, we won five."
With the win, the Cougars improved to 11-1, while Tulane fell to 4-7.
The Cougars return to action at 11 a.m., Saturday when they play host to Conference USA-rival Memphis at the John E. Hoff Courts. It will be the middle match of a three-game homestand for the Cougars.
Players Mentioned
