University of Houston
New Mexico
Houston Upsets No. 51 New Mexico 4-3
3/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar women's tennis team secured its fourth-consecutive win at home in a 4-3, upset victory over No. 51 New Mexico on Saturday at the John E. Hoff Courts.
"We came out early in doubles with great energy, and that set the tone for the match," head coach Courtney Steinbock said. "Our doubles play was really clean today. We knew today was going to be a battle against a tough New Mexico team, and the girls rose to the occasion. It was a great team effort today and a well-deserved win for us. I am very proud of our effort today"
Houston's victory came down to the fifth court where Maria Cardenas battled Ruth Copas through the third set on an intense match. The team score was tied at 3, and Houston looked to Cardenas to bring home the win. After winning the first set 6-3, Cardenas fell to Copas 4-6 in the second set, but came from behind to pull out the third and final set of the afternoon 7-5 and secure the match for the Cougars.
The day opened with a doubles victory for the Coogs as Marnie Stokes and Mina Markovic defeated Copas and Sharon Coone, while Despoina Vogasari and Rocio Martin beat New Mexico's No. 1 doubles team of Dominique Dulski and Emily Olivier, with each match posting scores of 6-2. Tina Rupert and Cardenas were well ahead of Andrea LeBlanc and Rachana Bhat at 5-2 when doubles play concluded.
New Mexico quickly found the scoreboard with a singles victory on court six, where Coone defeated Stokes 6-1, 6-0. The Lobos pulled ahead not long after with Dulski overtaking Markovic on court three 6-2, 6-1, to bring the score to 2-1.
However, Houston did not stay down for long with Vogasari cruising to a 6-3, 6-2 victory on court one against LeBlanc. With the win, Vogasari picked up a team-leading 16th singles victory of the season.
The final three courts in play would enter into third sets with each team needing two victories to take home the win. Houston jumped back on top when Rupert secured a crucial point on court two. After falling behind Olivier 4-6 heading to the second set, Rupert responded to go 6-4, 7-5 to take the match.
New Mexico briefly tied the score with a win on court four where Burguiere defeated Martin 6-1, 6-7, 6-4 before Cardenas delivered in the decisive match for the Cougars.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
Houston will waste no time putting its 4-match winning streak on the line when the Cougars go head-to-head with No. 73 Brown on Sunday, March 6. First serve against the Bears is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the match will be held at the Houston Country Club.
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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
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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
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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
