University of Houston
Cincinnati
Cougars Switch to Clay, Sweep Cincinnati
3/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON - A rain-soaked afternoon and a mid-match surface change couldn't dampen the University of Houston tennis team's spirits on Thursday as the Cougars swept Cincinnati, 6-0, at Houston Country Club. The Cougars (13-4) have now won nine matches in a row, the fifth-longest streak in program history.
Houston took the doubles point in just a half an hour and built early leads on all six singles courts before rain descended on Houston Country Club. Following a 45-minute weather delay, the teams switched from hardcourts to clay and resumed the match. The Coogs picked up where they left off and remained strong through two more brief weather stoppages to earn their fourth win in as many tries against American Athletic Conference opponents.
"Credit goes to Cincinnati's coaching staff for being flexible on a difficult weather day," said Houston Head Coach Patrick Sullivan. "I'm also proud of how our players competed today, especially the fact that they never lost focus through all of the stoppages."
Both completed doubles courts went to Houston by 6-1 counts. Elena Kordolaimi and Charlotte Phillips won the second court over Katya Bure and Ali Miller, while Angela Lorenzo and Mina Markovic dispatched of Natalia Abdalla and Hannah Wille in the third flight.
Houston grabbed their first singles point on court three, where Markovic was victorious after Miller retired in the second set. No. 107 Kordolaimi was the next to finish with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Kelly Poggensee-Wei in the top flight. The court one success was the first of the season for the senior, and it was her sixth consecutive victory overall.
Sophomore Tina Rupert clinched Houston's dramatic victory over Memphis in their last appearance at Houston Country Club, and she provided the fourth point again on Thursday. She dominated the second flight, 6-3, 6-0, to take down Bure and assure Houston of the victory.
Two singles matches reached their conclusions just minutes after Rupert's court went final. Maria Cardenas earned the win on court four, 6-1, 6-2, over Lauren Bellinger, and Lorenzo dropped Wille in the fifth flight, 6-2, 6-1.
On court six, Phillips won the first set over Samantha Perry, but the match went unfinished with Houston having clinched the result.
With her victory, Kordolaimi is now tied for the team lead with 23 wins on the season. Sophomore Despoina Vogasari, who did not play on Thursday, also has 23, and Cardenas is now third on the squad with 13 singles wins.
The clay court competition was the first for any member of Houston's current squad. Despite the change, the Cougars were in control throughout the day.
"Playing on a different surface presents unique challenges for a player, but each of our kids handled the situation really well," said Sullivan. "There aren't many collegiate players that get a chance to play on clay, so I am happy that our kids could take this opportunity and thrive."
The Cougars are now 5-1 all-time against Cincinnati.
 | RESULTS |
SINGLES
1. #107 Elena Kordolaimi (UH) def. Kelly Poggensee-Wei (CIN) 6-2, 6-2
2. Tina Rupert (UH) def. Katya Bure (CIN) 6-3, 6-0
3. Mina Markovic (UH) def. Ali Miller (CIN) 6-2, 3-0, retired
4. Maria Cardenas (UH) def. Lauren Bellinger (CIN) 6-1, 6-2
5. Angela Lorenzo (UH) def. Hannah Wille (CIN) 6-2, 6-1
6. Charlotte Phillips (UH) vs. Samantha Perry (CIN) 7-5, unfinished
DOUBLES
1. Maria Cardenas/Tina Rupert (UH) vs. Kelly Poggensee-Wei/Lauren Bellinger (CIN) 2-4, unfinished
2. Charlotte Phillips/Elena Kordolaimi (UH) def. Katya Bure/Ali Miller (CIN) 6-1
3. Mina Markovic/Angela Lorenzo (UH) def. Hannah Wille/Natalia Abdalla (CIN) 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (3,1,2,5,4)
| UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS |
The Cougars are back at Houston Country Club tomorrow, when they host East Carolina. Match time is scheduled for 1 pm CT, with live scoring available at UHCougars.com/TennisScores .
With a win on Friday, Houston would tally their 10th victory in a row and match the second longest streak in program history. The Cougars recorded separate 10-match streaks in 1990, 1991 and 2009.
| JOIN THE CENTER COURT CLUB |
The Cougars are proud to introduce the Center Court Club, a restricted-giving program that directly impacts the needs of the University of Houston Tennis program. Gifts to the Center Court Club provide financial support directly to the University of Houston Tennis program for needs beyond the program's operating budget. Revenue generated from the Center Court Club is used at the discretion of the Head Coach for program enhancements. Membership in the Center Court Club is annual and requires a minimum $100 gift.
LEVELS OF GIVING
WINNER
For a minimum gift of $100, supporters receive a team poster and a signed tennis ball.
ACE
For a minimum gift of $500, supporters receive a team poster and a signed tennis ball, private practice invitation and a stadium blanket.
US OPEN
For a minimum gift of $1,000, supporters receive a team poster and a signed tennis ball, private practice invitation, a stadium blanket, fleece jacket and a lesson from the coach.
GRAND SLAM
For a minimum gift of $2,500, supporters receive a team poster and a signed tennis ball, private practice invitation, a stadium blanket, fleece jacket, a lesson from the coach and a group lesson from the coaching staff.
Join the Center Court Club
| FOLLOW THE COUGARS! |
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougarSports), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics). In addition, the women's tennis team has established its own official Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonCougarTennis) and Twitter pages (@UHCougarTennis).
--UHCougars.com--
Players Mentioned
