University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
Rice Invitational
Cougars Sweep Opening Day Matches
9/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Tennis Team opened the 2016 fall season with a sweep of all four of its matches, winning three singles and one doubles contest on the first day of the Rice Invitational on Friday.
ABOUT THE RICE INVITATIONAL
Where: George R. Brown Tennis Center | Houston (Rice University)
Dates: March 23-25
Format: Tournament â€" 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
Houston kicked off play in doubles action where the duo of Sveva Mazzari and Tsveta Dimitrova were on the court for the first time as a team. After dropping the first game of the match to Gracia Mboko and Claire Koke from Denver, the Cougars rallied to win the next six to clinch the win. The pair will compete in two matches on Saturday with the first to come at 8:30 a.m., on court 6 against the team of Sisti/Kurtz of Tulane.
SINGLES PLAY
Ana Glumac kept up Houston's winning ways in the Cougars' first singles action of the season. The junior transfer from Albany rolled to a 6-0 win in the first set against Carrie Casey from Sam Houston State before dropping just one game in set two en route to a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Glumac advances to play Kateryna Avram of Northwestern State on Saturday.
Mazzari faced an unexpected challenge during her first singles match as a Cougar, having to endure a nearly two hour rain delay in the middle of her match. After dropping the first set 6-3, Mazzari battled to take a 3-2 lead in set two before the rain came down. After returning to the court, Mazzari bested Ema Barkovic of Sam Houston State 6-4 to win the set, before taking set three 6-1 to clinch the match. Mazzari will face Kylee Kato of UTSA on Saturday after her doubles matches.
Dimitrova rounded out Day 1 of the tournament for Houston with her singles match against Joanna Saava from Alabama. Dimitrova fell behind in the first set but battled her way back to force a tie break that she eventually won 7-5. It was more of the same in the second set. Dimitrova once trailed 4-1 before rallying to tie the score at six games apiece, eventually winning her second tie break 7-4 to claim victory 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4). Dimitrova will meet Carla Cerdan of UT-Arlington Saturday.
SPECIAL NOTE
Similar to Friday, there is a threat of inclement weather in the Houston area Saturday, 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).
