University of Houston
Wichita State
Houston downs Wichita State, 4-1
2/8/2019 4:01:00 PM | Tennis
The Helena Besovic era improves season record, 1-0 in conference play
HOUSTON – In a cold and windy day at the Winston Tennis Facility, the Houston Women's Tennis Team defeated their first conference opponent, Wichita State, topping the Shockers 4-1.
"I'm very proud of the team. Today we showed that we can play as a team and support each other," says Head Coach Helena Besovic. "The conditions were difficult. It was cold, and we knew [Wichita State] were going to come hungry. We stayed focused throughout the match, and at the end, that's what gave us this win."
Due to the weather circumstances, the match started and ended with singles play. Ndindi Ndunda was the first player to step out of the court, falling to Sandra Honigova in a hard fought match at Court 1. Minutes later, however, Sophie Gerits gave the Cougars their first win of the day, rolling through Marta Bellucco in Flight 3, 6-4, 6-0.
On Court 5, junior Phonexay Chitdara defeated Sarvinoz Saidhujaeva 6-4, 7-5 to give the Cougars a 2-1 overall lead. Stephanie Belovukovic followed, beating Alexandra Lazarova in a long third set, 0-6, 6-1, 6-3. Belovukovic improved her singles winning streak, 5-1.
The freshman from Serbia, Jovana Vukovic, topped Lingwei Kong in a thrilling match, 7-6, 6-4. Vukovic gave the Cougars the final win to clinch for the match, defeating the Shockers. The Cougars move to a 4-2 record, and 1-0 in the American Athletic conference.
Tennis Match Results
Houston vs Wichita State
2/8/19 at Houston, TX
(Barbara Wallace Winston Tennis Facility)
Houston 4, Wichita State 1
Singles competition
1. Sandra Honigova (WSU) def. Ndindi Ndunda (UH) 6-3, 6-1
2. Mimi Kendall-Woseley (UH) vs. Esther Thebault (WSU) 6-4, 2-6, 4-3 (unf.)
3. Sophie Gerits (UH) def. Marta Bellucco (WSU) 6-4, 6-0
4. Jovana Vukovic def. Lingwei Kong (WSU) 7-6, 6-4
5. Phonexay Chitdara (UH) def. Sarvinoz Saidhujaeva (WSU) 6-4, 7-5
6. Stephanie Belovukovic (UH) def. Alexandra Lazarova (WSU) 0-6, 6-1, 6-3
Match Notes:
Houston 4-2
Wichita State 1-4
Order of finish: Singles (1, 3, 5, 6, 4)
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
The Cougars take on Stephen F. Austin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Winston Tennis Facility. Houston will also host Florida Gulf Coast at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, before traveling to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers at noon on Sunday, Feb 17.
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).
--UHCougars.com--
Players Mentioned
