University of Houston Athletics
Making a Racquet - Vol. 18
5/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
(Editor's Note: "Making a Racquet" is written by senior women's tennis player Charlotte Phillips, who is interning with the Houston Athletics Communications department this semester. Throughout the season, Charlotte will provide a behind-the-scenes look into the Cougar tennis program, including practice stories, match recaps, interesting anecdotes and notes from the road. Today's entry looks back on the team's season-ending loss to Mississippi State in the NCAA Championship First Round.)
VOLUME XVIII - MAY 13, 2015
 | THE SEASON STOPS IN CALI |
Flying home from California after losing our first round match in NCAA's wasn't the way we expected the season to end. But unless you are the winner of the Championships, you are always going to be flying back feeling a little bit sad and minus the trophy.
We felt sad for a number of reasons -- we lost a close, hard-fought match, it was the last ever college tennis match for Elena and myself and to be honest, an overnight flight is never the best! Despite all this, we came back with our heads held high and faces full of smiles and laughter, because although we didn't finish with a win, we had a great trip to California to finish what was an amazing record-breaking season.
The match started in Mississippi State's favor after we had a slow start in doubles and went 1-0 down going into singles. After the doubles, the Cougars quickly turned things around, as Debbie was first to get the win at the number one position to level the score at 1-1. Elena then followed suit, with a win on court number two, but then it was the Bulldogs to take the win on court five. The score stood at 2-2 and both teams needed two more wins to claim a spot in the second round.
Things were looking promising for us, as we had won the first sets on two out of three courts. However, with Tina and Angela both battling it out in their third sets, it was going to be a tough match to win. Court three was next to finish after losing a tough third set match to give Mississippi State the 3-2. With only one more match to win for Mississippi, it was court six that got the win for the Bulldogs.
Although it wasn't the result we wanted and we would have loved the chance to play Cal on their home courts, it just wasn't to be. Despite not getting the win, a trip to San Francisco, surrounded by a group of seven amazing girls that I am proud to call my teammates was a great way to finish my senior year and my four years of being a Houston Cougar. It really was an exceptional season, one for the record books and one that I will definitely not forget!
Thanks for supporting us all season long!
Charlotte
Players Mentioned
