University of Houston Athletics
Simpson Picks Up C-USA Tennis Player of the Week
2/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Feb. 7, 2006
IRVING - Vicky Simpson earned the Conference USA Women's Tennis Player of the Week award Tuesday afternoon as announced by the league's office. It's the first award for Simpson in her young Cougar career as the Cougars have now won the league honor in back-to-back weeks.
"Any time a freshman can get three singles wins against quality competition means she's having a good week," head coach John Severance said. "During the opening weekend of the season, I was impressed with her doubles play. Last week she really stepped up her singles play and took the challenge of moving up in the line-up head on."
The England native racked up an impressive 6-0 week with four of her wins coming against Top 40 opponents Simpson is the only Cougar to remain undefeated in singles action during the spring season.
After rolling to a 6-4, 6-2 win over Southern Miss' Courtney Ulrich to open C-USA play, Simpson moved up to the No. 5 spot in the UH singles line-up. With the Cougars down 3-1 at No. 33 Mississippi State, the freshman kept the comeback effort alive, registering a hard-fought 7-6 (7), 6-3 win over Elna de Villiers.
Later in the match with the score even at three after singles play, Houston found itself facing elimination again. Down 1-0 in doubles action, Simpson paired with Brianna Bateup. The duo stormed to an 8-2 win over Renee Joseph and Daniela Juskova. Houston won the match as teammates Kami Miller and Yolandi Terblanche gutted out an 8-5 win for the 4-3 upset. It was the first win over a ranked opponent for UH in the John Severance era.
Simpson concluded her undefeated week as the only Cougar to win a single match at No. 34 Texas A&M, picking up a strong 6-2, 6-4 win over Seva Iwinski. She also won a key doubles match that allowed UH to grab an early 1-0 lead against the Aggies.
UH returns to the courts concluding a four-match road trip at No. 43 LSU. It will be the third consecutive ranked opponent for the Cougars who lost a 4-3 decision last season against the Tigers in Houston. First serve in Baton Rouge is set for noon.
Players Mentioned
