University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
Day 2
Vogasari Advances to Rice Invitational Finals
9/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON - The University of Houston Tennis team continued their run at the Rice Invitational Saturday, winning two more matches at their first event of the 2015-16 season. Junior Despoina Vogasari led the way, winning her No. 1 Singles Semifinal match to book a spot in Sunday's Finals.
Houston opened the day with a pair of matches in the No. 1 Doubles draw. Rocio Martin teamed with Tina Rupert to knock off UT-Arlington's Agustina Serio and Angeles de los Rios, 6-2. The duo was stopped in the Semifinals, however, taking a 6-1 loss to Dani Wagland and Breaunna Addison of Texas.
No. 42 Vogasari faced her toughest test of the young season in the Semifinals of the No. 1 Singles flight as she squared off with Rice's Lindsey Hodge. The reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year dropped the middle set but recovered to earn the victory, 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-2, and advance to Sunday's flight championship.
Rupert dropped her lone individual match of the day, a consolation bracket contest in the No. 2 Singles draw. The junior took the first set but could not hold off Lauren Hidalgo-Smith of Stephen F. Austin, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2.
Martin fell in the Semifinals of the No. 3 Singles bracket. The senior faced Alison Ho of Rice and was defeated, 6-2, 6-3.
 | RESULTS |
Singles Semifinals
F1 - Despoina Vogasari (Houston) def. Lindsey Hodge (Rice) 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-2
F3 - Alison Ho (Rice) def. Rocio Martin (Houston) 6-2, 6-3
Singles Consolation
F2 - Lauren Hidalgo-Smith (Stephen F. Austin) def. Tina Rupert (Houston) 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2
Doubles Quarterfinals
F1- Martin/Rupert (Houston) def. de los Rios/Serio (UT-Arlington) 6-2
Doubles Semifinals
F1 - Addison/Wagland (Texas) def. Martin/Rupert (Houston) 6-1
| UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON |
The Rice Invitational concludes Sunday, with the highlight of the day coming at 10 a.m., as Vogasari will face No. 48 Addison of Texas for the championship of the No. 1 Singles flight.
Vogasari will make her third career fall tournament flight championship when she takes the court Sunday. The Athens, Greece, native fell to Arianne Hartono of Ole Miss, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, on Sept. 14, 2014 in the finals of the CCLR Invitational. But she earned her biggest career victory to date on Oct. 20, 2014, when she defeated Natalie Beazant of Rice, 6-4, 6-4, to capture the USTA/ITA Texas Regional Championship.
Vogasari will be aiming for her 11th career victory over a ranked opponent on Sunday, and she will face Addison for the third time. The Texas student-athlete won both previous matches, a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win on Feb. 28, 2014 and a 6-3, 6-4 victory on May 9, 2014.
Martin and Rupert will also complete their Rice Invitational runs. Both players will team up for a consolation doubles match and will play their final consolation singles matches of the event.
| JOIN THE CENTER COURT CLUB |
The Cougars are proud to introduce the Center Court Club, a restricted-giving program that directly impacts the needs of the University of Houston Tennis program. Gifts to the Center Court Club provide financial support directly to the University of Houston Tennis program for needs beyond the program's operating budget. Revenue generated from the Center Court Club is used at the discretion of the Head Coach for program enhancements. Membership in the Center Court Club is annual and requires a minimum $100 gift.
LEVELS OF GIVING
WINNER
For a minimum gift of $100, supporters receive a team poster and a signed tennis ball.
ACE
For a minimum gift of $500, supporters receive a team poster and a signed tennis ball, private practice invitation and a stadium blanket.
US OPEN
For a minimum gift of $1,000, supporters receive a team poster and a signed tennis ball, private practice invitation, a stadium blanket, fleece jacket and a lesson from the coach.
GRAND SLAM
For a minimum gift of $2,500, supporters receive a team poster and a signed tennis ball, private practice invitation, a stadium blanket, fleece jacket, a lesson from the coach and a group lesson from the coaching staff.
Join the Center Court Club
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