University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
Rice Invitational
Houston Caps Off Rice Invite First Day
9/22/2017 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON -- The Houston Cougar Women's Tennis team opened the 2017 fall season with four (three singles, one doubles) victories on the first day of the Rice Invitational on Friday at the George R. Brown Tennis Center.
The fall season began with doubles play, where Houston picked up its first win of the season from senior Sveva Mazzari and sophomore Lauren Alter. Playing in flight three, the duo picked up a 6-1 victory over Petchey/Hollebeck (SMU). The win for the Cougars advances Mazzari and Alter to face Niezgoda/Moenster (Rice) on Saturday.
Houston saw two other doubles teams in action on Friday, beginning with sophomore Tsveta Dimitrova and senior Ana Glumac in flight one. After jumping out to an early 3-2 lead, the Cougars dropped a hard-fought 6-3 decision to Dzenga/Klaric of USF. Dimitrova and Glumac will face Daniell/Fabian (Alabama) on Saturday.
In Houston's final doubles match of the day, freshman Laura Bernardos made her Cougar debut alongside sophomore Constandena Nicolaou in a matchup against Martorell/Sasaki (KU/UNT). The duo dropped their match 6-1 and will face Chia/Gutierrez (Texas State) on Saturday.
The Cougars picked up three victories in singles play on Friday, beginning with Dimitrova in flight one. Matched up against Agustina Serio (UTA), Dimitrova tallied a straight-set victory at 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the second round of the flight. Dimitrova will meet Lindsey Hodge (Rice) Saturday morning.
Nicolaou was able to advance to flight seven's second round with a straight-set win over Klara Mrclela (UTA). Nicolaou and Mrclela battled to a tiebreaker in the first set, with Nicolaou prevailing 7-6 (4), before responding with a 6-2 victory in the second set to seal the match. Nicolaou advances to meet Carrie Casey (SHSU) on Saturday.
Bernardos made an immediate impact for the Cougars in her first competition while donning the Red and White. Playing in flight eight, Bernardos took the first set 6-4 over Alex Jones (Texas State). Jones would respond with a 6-3 victory in the second set, but Bernardos was able to rebound and win set three 6-2 to seal her first-career singles win. Bernardos moves on to face Mila Milanovic (SHSU) in the second round of the flight.
Alter started strong in her first fall singles match, winning set one 6-4 over Jessica Cortes (USF). The two would battle into a tie-breaker in the second set, however Cortes would prevail 7-6(2) and eventually win the match with a 6-4 mark in the final set. Alter will meet Minying Liang (UNT) on Saturday in the consolation round.
Competing in flight two singles, Mazzari dropped a straight-set decision to Wendy Zhang (Rice) 6-3, 6-2, while Glumac was forced to retire from her flight six singles match after trailing 5-2 in the first set.
Action on the second day of the Rice Invitational begins at 9 a.m., Saturday morning with the final two rounds of doubles play. One round of singles action will follow, while the final round of singles play will be held on Sunday.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
In early September, Dimitrova was selected for the ITA Women's All-American Championships. Dimitrova will travel to Pacific Palisades, Calif, to compete in the pre-qualifying round across Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, while the qualifying round will be held Oct. 3-4 and the main draw will run Oct. 5-8.
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
