University of Houston
New Mexico State
Cougar Tennis Drops Close One To New Mexico State
3/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
March 8, 2008
HOUSTON, Texas - It came down to the final set in the final match but the University of Houston's quest for an undefeated home slate at the John E. Hoff Courts came to an end today, as New Mexico State squeaked out a 4-3 decision over the Cougars.
With the loss Houston drops to 8-6 on the season, and will look to rebound on Monday, March 10, when it squares off against Conference USA foe UCF at home.
With the match knotted at 3-all, the Cougars' fate rode on the broad shoulders of freshman Lucy Forward at #1 singles. After taking the first set, 6-3, over Sophia Marks, Forward dropped the second set 6-3 to set up the third-set showdown. With the final set squared up at 4-4, Forward dropped the final two games to lose 6-3, 3-6, 4-6.
"You hate to lose any match," UH head coach John Severance said, "especially when it is as close as this one was. We lost a close doubles point, and then came out firing and won three straight singles matches in straight sets. Then, it was to court one with the freshman (Forward.)
"The match score was three-all and her individual match was four-all in the third set, so it doesn't get any closer than that."
As mentioned, Houston dropped a close decision in the doubles play, even though the Cougars failed to win any of the three matches. Forward and Vicky Simpson dropped an 8-3 decision at #1 against Aleksa Costa and Marks, but the tandems of Leila Salek/Jordan McCombs at #2 and Lynley Wasson/Joanna Kacprzyk at #3 both battled back in their doubles matches, only to both fall by identical scores of 8-6.
In singles action Salek made quick work of Zeljka Juricek at #2, winning 6-1, 6-2, and Wasson crushed Paulina Zuniga, 6-0, 6-2, at #5. At #6 Simpson also won in straight sets, taking out Bianca Discordia, 6-3, 6-2.
But, at #3 Neila Starratt was overpowered by Stephanie Eusebe, 6-0, 6-2, and McCombs dropped a straight-setter at #4, 6-2, 6-1, to Anne Fagegaltier, to set up the winning match at #1 singles.
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