University of Houston Athletics
Tennis Back at Home Saturday after Nine-Match Road Odyssey
4/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
April 2, 2010
HOUSTON - Following a month-long road trip that saw the team play nine matches in three different states, the University of Houston tennis team is happy to return to the comfortable surroundings of John E. Hoff Courts this weekend. For the first time since March 3, the Cougars will face an opponent on their home courts Saturday when they host Prairie View A&M in a 2 p.m. match.
"It's obviously good to be back at home and have the chance to play on our own courts," head coach John Severance said. "Actually, this season we have not lost a dual match on our home courts. Our lone home loss this year was over on the rec courts due to a scheduling conflict."
This season, the Cougars have pushed through some growing plains that were to be expected of a team that featured only three returners and four newcomers, including three freshmen. However, despite its inexperience, Houston enters the weekend with an 8-6 overall record.
The Cougars are 5-0 all-time against Prairie View A&M, having never dropped a match to the Lady Panthers, including a 7-0 victory in Houston on April 10 of last season.
Freshman Bryony Hunter has been in impressive form during her first season in Houston, with a 9-4 record including an 8-4 mark at the No. 1 spot. The English native made her debut at the No. 2 spot during the season opener, but since then has led the team from the No. 1 spot along with playing in every doubles point.
Joining Hunter with winning marks in singles play are senior Neila Starratt, playing in the No. 4-6 positions and junior Joanna Kacprzyk, appearing at No. 2 and No. 3 for the Cougars, who have each produced 7-5 records this season.
In doubles play the Cougars have had their struggles this season, but Severance expects the team to make strides in that area.
"Our goal for the upcoming matches is to play doubles at a much higher level than we have all season," Severance noted.
Only two players on the roster hold individual winning records in doubles play this season - juniors Elena Kazakova, who has put together a 7-6 record with four different partners, and Laura Ring, who has paired with three other Cougars to produce a team-best 8-4 record.
Following the match against Prairie View, Houston tennis is back in action Monday against St. Edward's in a noon match on John E. Hoff Courts.
Players Mentioned
