University of Houston
Missouri
Cougars Earn Hard-Fought Win over Missouri, 4-2
2/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON - The No. 56 University of Houston tennis team battled inclement weather and a tough Missouri squad to earn a 4-2 victory on Friday afternoon at Chancellors Racquet Club. The Cougars are now 5-4 on the season.
Because of rainy weather in Houston, Friday's match was shifted up two hours from its original 3 pm start time, and the location was changed from Houston Country Club to the Chancellors Racquet Club. Still, Patrick Sullivan's team maintained their focus and finished with an important victory.
"Missouri is a tough team, and they made us earn every single point," said Sullivan. "We did not play our best tennis, but the attitude and effort that our team demonstrated today could not have been better, and I am proud of that."
Because of the weather, Houston and Missouri opened the match by going straight to singles play. No. 90 Elena Kordolaimi got the ball rolling with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Cassidy Spearman on court two, though the Tigers (7-4) evened the score on court three as Bea Machado Santos defeated Tina Rupert, 6-1, 6-4.
The next two points went to the Cougars. No 24 Despoina Vogasari dispatched of a tough opponent in Kelli Hine, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 on the top court. Mina Markovic followed that up with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Madison Rhyner in the fifth flight.
Houston was on the cusp of victory, but Missouri made them earn it. Brittany Lashway won court six for the Tigers, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 over Maria Cardenas before Rocio Martin could clinch the team victory with a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3) triumph over Brianna Lashway in the fourth flight.
With Houston assured of the team victory, the two clubs did not play for the doubles point.
Houston's win is their first ever against Missouri. The two teams had settled for a draw (the only one in UH program history) in 1980, and the Tigers earned a win over Houston in 2010.
The win is the second in as many seasons for Sullivan's club over a Southeastern Conference opponent. The Coogs dropped Mississippi State, 5-2, on Feb. 16, 2014.
Kordolaimi and Vogasari are still undefeated at 8-0 in spring season play. The senior is 16-4 overall, and her career-best winning streak is now 11 matches. Vogasari is now 19-3 for the season.
Martin, meanwhile, has earned the clinching point in Houston's last two victories. She also won the decisive match on Feb. 7 in a 4-3 win over No. 42 Washington.
 | RESULTS |
SINGLES
1. #24 Despoina Vogasari (UH) def. Kelli Hine (MU) 7-6 (8-6), 6-1
2. #90 Elena Kordolaimi (UH) def. Cassidy Spearman (MU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Bea Machado Santos (MU) def. Tina Rupert (UH) 6-1, 6-4
4. Rocio Martin (UH) def. Brianna Lashway (MU) 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3)
5. Mina Markovic (UH) def. Madison Rhyner (MU) 6-0, 6-4
6. Brittany Lashway (MU) def. Maria Cardenas (UH) 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
DOUBLES
1. Brianna Lashway/Cassidy Spearman (MU) vs. Despoina Vogasari/Elena Kordolaimi (UH) no result
2. Kelli Hine/Madison Rhyner (MU) vs. Tina Rupert/Maria Cardenas (UH) no result
3. Bea Machado Santos/Brittany Lashway (MU) vs. Rocio Martin/Mina Markovic (UH) no result
Order of finish: Doubles (---); Singles (2,3,1,5,6,4)
| UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS |
Houston hosts No. 48 Utah on Sunday to end the home stand. The match is scheduled for 11 am CT at Houston Country Club, though rain is once again forecasted. Cougar fans are encouraged to monitor UHCougars.com and the Cougar Tennis Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest information.
Sunday's live scoring will be available at UHCougars.com/TennisScores .
| RESULTS |
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Players Mentioned
