University of Houston
UConn
Cougars Top Huskies 5-2
2/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar women's tennis team extended its winning streak with a 5-2 victory over the UConn Huskies on Friday, at the John E. Hoff Courts.
Action was tight from the beginning as the Cougars took two of the three doubles matches into a tiebreaker. Court three finished first with Shea Flanagan and Jacqueline Lazaro defeating Angela Lorenzo and Marnie Stokes, to take a 1-0 advantage early in doubles, however Houston would come roaring back on courts one and two.
The duo of Despoina Vogasari and Rocio Martin were the next to finish as they defeated Srna Stosljevic and Jacquelyn Fitz-Randolph 7-6 (7-3) to even the score at one. With the doubles points hanging in the balance, Tina Rupert and Maria Cardenas battled through their own tiebreaker to defeat Emma Alderman and Yelyzaveta Pletnyeva 7-6 (8-6) to clinch the point and put Houston up 1-0.
UConn would take the first singles point of the afternoon when Flanagan defeated Stokes on court six in a 6-2, 6-1 decision to even the score at one apiece. The Cougars were able to quickly stop the momentum however, and would claim points on each of courts one and two. Vogasari fell behind early to Stosljevic after dropping set one, but was able to come from behind to claim at 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory. Playing at No. 2 singles, Rupert breezed to a victory over Alderman 6-2, 6-4 to bring the Cougars to within one of the clinching score at 3-1.
UConn was able to make things interesting and bring the score to within 3-2 when Pletnyeva defeated Martin at the No. 3 singles position 6-3, 6-2, but the Cougars again held off the Huskies charge with a Lorenzo victory over Zaina Zaki 6-2, 6-2 and a Cardenas win over Fitz-Randolph 6-8, 6-2, 10-6 to bring the final score to 5-2.
The win marked the third straight for the Cougars after knocking off both Prairie View A&M and Southern last weekend, with each match finishing 4-0 in favor of Houston. With her singles victory, Vogasari improved to 15-8 overall on the season, while her doubles team with Martin improved to 4-2 this year.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
The Cougars look to extend their winning streak with a pair of home matches next weekend. Houston welcomes New Mexico to the John E. Hoff Courts on Friday, March 5 with first serve scheduled for 1 p.m. The following day, Saturday, March 6, the Cougars will host Brown at the Houston Country Club beginning at 11 a.m.
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.
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Players Mentioned
