University of Houston Athletics
Fall Slate Opens with Rice Invitational
9/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON -- The Houston Cougar Women's Tennis Team opens the fall portion of its 2016-17 schedule when it travels across town to compete in the Rice Invitational at the George R. Brown Tennis Center, beginning at 8:30 a.m., Friday.
ABOUT THE RICE INVITATIONAL
Where: George R. Brown Tennis Center | Houston (Rice University)
Dates: March 23-25
Format: Tournament -- Six Singles Flights, Three Doubles Flights
MATCHES
Friday: 1 Doubles Match and 1 Singles Match
Saturday: 2 Doubles Matches and 1 Singles Match
Sunday: 1 Singles Match
DOUBLES ACTION
Action at the Rice Invitational begins at 8:30 a.m., Friday on 14 different courts. The Cougars will first step on the court in doubles play when the team of junior Sveva Mazzari and freshman Tsveta Dimitrova face off against Gracia Mboko and Claire Koke of Denver. Each of the duos will be competing in their first matches together.
SINGLES PLAY
Dimitrova and Mazzari will also be in action alongside junior Ana Glumac when singles play begins Friday.
On Court 4, Dimitrova will be in action against senior Joanna Savva from Alabama. Dimitrova will see her first match for the Cougars after joining the program out of Pazardzhik, Bulgaria. Saava was a member of a Crimson Tide team that went 5-18 a season ago and was once the No. 1 rated junior college player in the nation before transferring from Tyler Junior College.
Mazzari will play the third match on Court 10 on Friday, when she meets Ema Barkovic from Sam Houston State. Mazzari came to Houston this fall from Emory & Henry College where she was the 2016 VaSID All-State Women's Tennis College Division Player of the Year after posting an 18-1 overall record in her sophomore season. Barkovic played the 2016 season as SHSU's No. 3, compiling a 9-11 dual match record.
Glumac's day will begin as the third match on Court 11, where she will meet Carrie Casey from SHSU. The Belgrade, Serbia, native transferred to the Cougars from Albany, where she helped lead the Great Danes to the 2016 America East Championship and a berth in the NCAA Championships a year ago. Casey played on the No. 2 court for the Bearkats in 2016.
SPECIAL NOTE
There is a threat of inclement weather in the Houston area this weekend, and at this time there is no arrangement for indoor courts. The Houston Women's Tennis program will send updates if a situation arises.
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.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics). In addition, the women's tennis team has established its own official Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonCougarTennis) and Twitter pages (@UHCougarTennis).
