University of Houston
Prairie View A&M
Cougars Split Opening Day Double Header
1/21/2017 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON -- The Houston Cougar Women's Tennis team opened the 2017 spring season with a split of a double header on Saturday. The Cougars fell to UT Arlington 4-2 before defeating Prairie View A&M 4-0, at the Barbara Winston Tennis Facility.
AGAINST THE MAVERICKS
Houston opened competition Saturday morning with doubles play against UT-Arlington. The Cougars got their first look at three new student-athletes as Lauren Alter teamed with Tsveta Dimitrova, Cristina Rovira partnered with Sveva Mazzari and Constandena Nicolaou was paired with Ana Glumac on the doubles court.
The Mavericks clinched the doubles point as Agustina Serio and Angeles de los Rios defeated Dimitrova and Alter 6-0, while Anna Wichert and Astrid Gehre clinched the point over Mazzari and Rovira with a 6-3 match. Nicolaou and Glumac were battling Birowski and Lopez to a 4-4 tie when doubles play was halted.
UTA extended the lead to 2-0 with the first victory on the singles court as Serio defeated Alter 6-1, 6-0. However, Houston would come roaring back with two straight victories to tie the score at 2-2. First, Nicolaou cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Lopez, followed by Rovira defeating Birowski 6-4, 7-5 to even the match. Glumac dropped a tough 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 decision to Wichert as the Mavericks regained the lead, before clinching with Gehre defeating Mazzari 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to clinch.
Dimitrova led de los Rios 2-6, 6-4, 5-3 when the match was halted.
AGAINST THE PANTHERS
Houston responded in a big way during the afternoon match, sweeping Prairie View 4-0 without dropping a set.
Dimitrova and Alter were back together on the doubles court, defeating Neharika Rama and Shaddae Findley 6-1, while Mazzari and Rovira rebounded to knock off Timara Maxwell and Trinity Randolph 6-1 to clinch doubles. Glumac and Nicolaou were on top of Sydney Thomas and Tatiana Ruhl 4-3 when doubles ended.
Rovira extended Houston's lead with a straight-set victory over Stacey Lackey, dropping just one game en route to winning 6-1, 6-0. On court five, Nicolaou posted the same score over Maxwell, winning Houston's third point with a 6-1, 6-0 victory. With the Cougars ahead on the remaining three courts, it was Mazzari who sealed the win with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Thomas on court three.
Dimitrova led Rama 6-4, 2-1 on court one, Alter led Findley 6-3, 2-1 on court four, and Glumac led Randolph 6-2, 4-1 on court six when play wrapped.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
Houston returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 28, when it hosts Abilene Christian at 2 p.m. The Cougars will officially dedicate the Barbara Wallace Winston Tennis Facility as part of a pre-match ceremony prior to Saturday's contest.
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).
Players Mentioned
