University of Houston
East Carolina
Houston Falls 4-2 to East Carolina
4/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The University of Houston Women's Tennis Team continued their trip on the East Coast by taking on East Carolina on Saturday, in Greenville N.C., where the Cougars fell 4-2 to their American Conference foe.
The Cougars were forced to play with only five players giving East Carolina an advantage in doubles competition. Tina Rupert and Mina Markovic battled hard to pull out a 6-3 win over Maria Storozheva and Michelle Castro on the second court, however, Despoina Vogasari and Rocio Martin were unable to hold on to the top court, falling 6-4 against Celia Ruiz and Nicole Laduca.
Houston began singles play down 2-0 due to the Cougars being shorthanded, but the Cougars were able to lock down two tough points to tie the score with wins on courts two and three. Markovic secured the first singles point after defeating Laduca 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to secure her second win in the No. 2 spot on the weekend after a win at William & Mary on Friday.
Martin would also prove victorious in an intense matchup with Storozheva. The Madrid, Spain native was able to battle through a pair of tiebreakers to secure the win 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4). The victory for Martin was her 11th of the season and sixth while playing on the third court.
The Pirates gained their third point on the top court with Ruiz overcoming Vogasari in arguably one of the closest matches of the season. Ruiz defeated Vogasari in the first set 7-6 (9), before Vogasari could even the match with a 6-2 win in set two. The two battled into another tie break in the third set with Ruiz eventually claiming a 7-6 (10) victory to claim the point.
East Carolina grabbed its final point of the match when Angela Lorenzo lost the first set to Katie Hoch on the court five 6-1 and was unable continue playing in her match in the second set.
On court four Rupert had lost the first set 6-4, but was up 3-0 against Castro in set two when the match concluded.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Cougars will finish out the regular season in Houston with Tulsa and North Texas in the final weekend of the regular season. The weekend will kick off at the Houston Country Club with fellow American Conference competitor, Tulsa on Saturday, April 9 at 11 a.m. Houston will then return to John E. Hoff Courts Sunday, April 10 to honor its graduating student-athletes as part of Senior Day against North Texas at noon.
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
