Tennis Wins Big 12 Opener Over #35 Utah

Thursday, February 26

Houston, Texas

1 PM

University of Houston

Utah

2/26/2026 5:56:00 PM | Tennis

Box Score

Cougars move to 10-0 and win Big 12 Opener for the first time

HOUSTON — The University of Houston Tennis team opened its Big 12 Conference slate with a 4-3 win over #35 Utah on Thursday afternoon at the Barbara Wallace Winston Tennis Facility.

The Cougars are 10-0 for the first time since 1990 and won their Big 12 opening match for the first time since joining the league ahead of the 2023-24 school year. The win marked the highest ranked win since the Cougars defeated #32 William & Mary, 4-3, in 2016 (April 1).

Houston got out to fast start in doubles as #87 Petja Drame and Elizaveta Morozova blanked Dylan Lolofie and Andjelija Markovic on court three. The Cougars clinched the point on court as #82 Sophie Schouten and Chems Doha Zeghlouli defeated Emma Kamper and Emma Valletta, 6-2.

Drame and Schouten made quick work of their opponents on courts five and six, respectively. Drame took care of Valetta, 6-1, 6-2, and Schouten defeated Hayley Roberts with a pair of 6-2 set victories.

Utah (6-4, 0-1 Big 12) fought back as #81 Kamper defeated Morozova, 6-2, 6-4, and Sara Akid reversed swept junior Iva Sepa, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The Utes tied the match at 3 on court four as Kaila Barksdale used a pair of comeback sets to defeat junior Valeriia Krokhotina, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, to force the deciding point on court two.

After dropping the opening set, 6-4, Zeghlouli grinded out a 7-6(4) second set before clinching the third set, 6-4 to clinch the match for the Cougars.

DOUBLES
Chems Doha Zeghlouli/Sophie Schouten def. Emma Kamper/Emma Valletta (Utah) 6-2
Iva Sepa/Valeriia Krokhotina vs. Sara Akid/Emmie Moore (Utah) 4-5, unfinished
Petja Drame/Elizaveta Morozova def. Dylan Lolofie/Andjelija Markovic (Utah) 6-0

SINGLES
#81 Emma Kamper (Utah) def. Elizaveta Morozova, 6-2, 6-4
Chems Doha Zeghlouli def. Emmie Moore (Utah) 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4
Sara Akid (Utah) def. Iva Sepa, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
Kaila Barksdale (Utah) def. Valeriia Krokhotina, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
Petja Drame def. Emma Valletta (Utah) 6-1, 6-2
Sophie Schouten def. Hayley Roberts (Utah) 6-2, 6-2

UP NEXT
The Cougars continue their Big 12 opening weekend against #29 BYU at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Barbara Wallace Winston Tennis Facility. Houston will welcome back several alumni for its inaugural Alumni Match. FREE pizza and t-shirts will be available to UH students while supplies last.

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– UHCougars.com –