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University of Houston Athletics
Saturday, March 28
Houston, Texas
1 PM
University of Houston
vs
UCF
Photo by: ©Juan DeLeon Creative
PREVIEW: Tennis Opens Homestand Against #21 UCF and Missouri State
3/27/2026 11:47:00 AM | Tennis
Cougars begin four game homestand against Knights and Bears
HOUSTON — The #43 University of Houston Tennis team hosts the duo of #21 UCF and Missouri State on Saturday and Sunday at the Barbara Wallace Tennis Facility.
The Cougars (13-4, 4-4 Big 12) will host the Knights (13-3, -2 Big 12) at 1 p.m., Saturday before battling the Bears (4-12, 0-1 CUSA) at 11 a.m., Sunday.
Admission to both games is FREE. Fans can watch the action against UCF and Missouri State here and follow live stats here.
LAST TIME OUT
The Cougars split a pair of matches at #48 Kansas and Iowa State on Friday and Sunday.
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Houston fell in its opening contest of the weekend against Kansas in the Sunflower State 4-3. The Cougars started strong, winning the doubles point after seniors Sophie Schouten and Chems Doha Zeghlouli secured the set at 7-6(2).
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The lead would alter between teams highlighted by wins from juniors Iva Sepa and Valeriia Krokhotina before the score became notched at three a piece. Kansas claimed their fifth Big 12 win as Junior Petja Drame fell in three sets 6-4, 2-6, 6(5)-7.
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The Cougars earned their first Big 12 Conference road win in a hard-fought victory over Iowa State in Ames, 4-3. The Cyclones claimed the doubles point taking an early lead which vanished as Drame and Krokhotina swept their opponents in impressive fashion. Iowa State regained the lead after Zeghlouli and Sepa dropped their matches. With their backs against the wall, Krokhotina and junior Elizaveta Morozova led the Cougars to victory, winning their matches in three sets.
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ABOUT HOUSTON
Houston is in its second season under the direction of Head Coach Katarina Adamovic and returns five starters from a season ago.
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The Cougars got off to their best start since 1990 at 11-0, swept its first eight opponents for the first time in program history and were ranked as high as #29 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association team poll.
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Houston is ranked #43 in this week's ITA team poll while coming in at #39 in the UTR team rankings.
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Schouten and Krokhotina pace the Cougars with 12-1 singles records. The doubles pair of Schouten and Zeghlouli own an 11-3 record on court one followed by a 10-3 record from Drame and Morozova on court three.
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ABOUT UCF
UCF strides into the matchup against Houston at 13-3 with a 6-2 record in Big 12 play including six ranked wins. The Knights split their last road trip defeating Iowa State 4-0 on Friday, before falling to Kansas 4-1 on Sunday.
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Heading the Knights in his ninth season is Bryan Koniecko. Last season, the Knights shared the spoils in claiming the first Big 12 Regular Season title for any sport at UCF.
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UCF holds the advantage in the all-time series 7-4. The Knights won the previous five meetings with the last matchup being a UCF sweep over Houston on April 5, 2025. The Cougars last win over UCF was 4-0 sweep on April 21, 2016 in the second round of the American Athletic Conference Championships.
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ABOUT MISSOURI STATE
Missouri State holds a 4-12 record and were swept in their only conference match against Louisiana Tech.
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Head Coach Austin Hale leads Missouri State in his second season at the helm. Freshman Matilde Ercoli heads the Bears winning her last six matches striding into a 7-3 record.
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This will be the first overall meeting between the Cougars and Bears.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Tennis by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Center Court Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Tennis for needs beyond its operating budget.
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STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarTennis on X, formerly known as Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTennis or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartennis.
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– UHCougars.com –
The Cougars (13-4, 4-4 Big 12) will host the Knights (13-3, -2 Big 12) at 1 p.m., Saturday before battling the Bears (4-12, 0-1 CUSA) at 11 a.m., Sunday.
Admission to both games is FREE. Fans can watch the action against UCF and Missouri State here and follow live stats here.
LAST TIME OUT
The Cougars split a pair of matches at #48 Kansas and Iowa State on Friday and Sunday.
Â
Houston fell in its opening contest of the weekend against Kansas in the Sunflower State 4-3. The Cougars started strong, winning the doubles point after seniors Sophie Schouten and Chems Doha Zeghlouli secured the set at 7-6(2).
Â
The lead would alter between teams highlighted by wins from juniors Iva Sepa and Valeriia Krokhotina before the score became notched at three a piece. Kansas claimed their fifth Big 12 win as Junior Petja Drame fell in three sets 6-4, 2-6, 6(5)-7.
Â
The Cougars earned their first Big 12 Conference road win in a hard-fought victory over Iowa State in Ames, 4-3. The Cyclones claimed the doubles point taking an early lead which vanished as Drame and Krokhotina swept their opponents in impressive fashion. Iowa State regained the lead after Zeghlouli and Sepa dropped their matches. With their backs against the wall, Krokhotina and junior Elizaveta Morozova led the Cougars to victory, winning their matches in three sets.
Â
ABOUT HOUSTON
Houston is in its second season under the direction of Head Coach Katarina Adamovic and returns five starters from a season ago.
Â
The Cougars got off to their best start since 1990 at 11-0, swept its first eight opponents for the first time in program history and were ranked as high as #29 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association team poll.
Â
Houston is ranked #43 in this week's ITA team poll while coming in at #39 in the UTR team rankings.
Â
Schouten and Krokhotina pace the Cougars with 12-1 singles records. The doubles pair of Schouten and Zeghlouli own an 11-3 record on court one followed by a 10-3 record from Drame and Morozova on court three.
Â
ABOUT UCF
UCF strides into the matchup against Houston at 13-3 with a 6-2 record in Big 12 play including six ranked wins. The Knights split their last road trip defeating Iowa State 4-0 on Friday, before falling to Kansas 4-1 on Sunday.
Â
Heading the Knights in his ninth season is Bryan Koniecko. Last season, the Knights shared the spoils in claiming the first Big 12 Regular Season title for any sport at UCF.
Â
UCF holds the advantage in the all-time series 7-4. The Knights won the previous five meetings with the last matchup being a UCF sweep over Houston on April 5, 2025. The Cougars last win over UCF was 4-0 sweep on April 21, 2016 in the second round of the American Athletic Conference Championships.
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ABOUT MISSOURI STATE
Missouri State holds a 4-12 record and were swept in their only conference match against Louisiana Tech.
Â
Head Coach Austin Hale leads Missouri State in his second season at the helm. Freshman Matilde Ercoli heads the Bears winning her last six matches striding into a 7-3 record.
Â
This will be the first overall meeting between the Cougars and Bears.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Tennis by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Center Court Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Tennis for needs beyond its operating budget.
Â
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarTennis on X, formerly known as Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTennis or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartennis.
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– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
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