University of Houston
No. 62 Marshall
Houston Wins 11th Straight, 5-2 over Marshall
3/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON - The No. 48 University of Houston tennis team won their 11th straight match on Sunday afternoon, a 5-2 victory over No. 62 Marshall at the John E. Hoff Courts. The 11-contest streak now stands alone as the second-longest unbeaten stretch in Cougar program history.
Houston (15-4) has now won seven matches this season against nationally-ranked opponents, a school record that continues to grow. Overall, the Cougars have not lost since Feb. 14.
Patrick Sullivan's team is now in range of the longest winning streak in Cougar history. Houston opened the 1990 dual season with 13 straight victories, going unbeaten from Feb. 10 - March 23, 1990.
"Marshall is a very good team, and they came ready to play today," said Sullivan. "I'm happy with how we were able to battle them and earn a quick victory, but we still have some aspects of our game that need improvement as we approach postseason play."
The Cougars started the day with a tight doubles victory. Maria Cardenas and Tina Rupert doubled up Marija Bogicevic and Kai Broomfield on the second court, 6-3, but the other two flights went down to the wire. Marshall's Rachael Morales and Maddie Silver won the third court over Mina Markovic and Angela Lorenzo, 6-4, but just minutes later the Coogs clinched the point with Despoina Vogasari and Elena Kordolaimi edging Anna Pomyatinskaya and Derya Turhan, 7-5.
"Winning the doubles point was huge for us," said Sullivan. "As tough as Marshall was playing us on the singles courts, getting that early lead was a real benefit for our team."
UH dominated three of the singles courts to put the match away quickly. No. 33 Vogasari was the first to put a point on the board with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Turhan. The win was the 25th of the season for the sophomore, which leads Houston.
On court six, Lorenzo earned Houston's third point with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Bogicevic. Just minutes later, Markovic assured UH of victory as her 6-4, 6-0 triumph over Morales went final in the fifth flight.
Though Houston's three quick singles victories meant an early victory, Marshall played the Cougars extremely closely on the other three courts, including a pair of wins. Each of the last three matches to finish went to a third set tiebreak to 10 points.
Marshall (11-6) earned a win on court two, where Pomyatinskaya rallied to beat No. 107 Kordolaimi, 4-6, 6-2, 10-8. The Thundering Herd also came back to win the third flight, with Silver downing Rupert, 1-6, 6-1, 11-9.
The last court to wrap up was the fourth, with Cardenas outlasting Broomfield, 6-3, 3-6, 10-2.
Cardenas now ranks third on the Houston club with 15 singles victories this season, while her partnership with Rupert has paid dividends with the duo holding a 9-1 record.
Vogasari and Kordolaimi have now won 21 doubles matches together in dual meets over the last two seasons. They are one of just nine UH duos to win more than 20 doubles dual matches in program history.
 | RESULTS |
SINGLES
1. #33 Despoina Vogasari (UH) def. Derya Turhan (MAR) 6-1, 6-0
2. Anna Pomyatinskaya (MAR) def. #107 Elena Kordolaimi (UH) 4-6, 6-2, 10-8
3. Maddie Silver (MAR) def. Tina Rupert (UH) 1-6, 6-1, 11-9
4. Maria Cardenas (UH) def. Kai Broomfield (MAR) 6-3, 3-6, 10-2
5. Mina Markovic (UH) def. Rachael Morales (MAR) 6-4, 6-0
6. Angela Lorenzo (UH) def. Marija Bogicevic (MAR) 6-3, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Elena Kordolaimi/Despoina Vogasari (UH) def. Anna Pomyatinskaya/Derya Turhan (MAR) 7-5
2. Maria Cardenas/Tina Rupert (UH) def. Marija Bogicevic/Kai Broomfield (MAR) 6-3
3. Rachael Morales/Maddie Silver (MAR) def. Mina Markovic/Angela Lorenzo (UH) 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,6,5,2,3,4)
| UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS |
Houston will try to match their school record on Saturday, March 28, when they host a pair of home matches at Houston Country Club. The Coogs battle nationally-ranked Dartmouth in their morning match and face Tyler Junior College in the afternoon. The day begins at 11 am CT, and live scoring is available at UHCougars.com/TennisScores .
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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.
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Players Mentioned
