University of Houston
Day 1
Houston Starts Strong at Rice Invitational
9/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON - The University of Houston Tennis team started the Courtney Steinbock Era with a successful opening day at the Rice Invitational, held at the George R. Brown Tennis Center. Houston student-athletes won five of their six singles matches, with Despoina Vogasari and Rocio Martin going undefeated.
The day marked the competitive start of Steinbock's tenure as Houston's head coach. The Cougars celebrated their new leader by sending a pair of singles competitors into the Semifinals of their flights.
No. 42 Vogasari opened her run with a pair of victories in the No. 1 Singles flight. The 2015 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year overwhelmed Fabienne Gettwart of Sam Houston State in her opener, 6-1, 6-1. In the Second Round, Vogasari faced UT-Arlington's Astrid Gehre and dominated the match, 6-2, 6-0.
With the two victories, Vogasari has now won nine of her last 10 fall season matches dating back to last season. Her overall career singles record stands at 57-17, with her .770 winning percentage ranking third in Houston history.
Tina Rupert split a pair of matches in the No. 2 Singles draw. The junior fell in her opener, 6-3, 6-2, to Jacobea Junger of UTSA. But she recovered to take down New Mexico State's Marie-Pier Thiffault in dominating fashion, 6-1, 6-1, and notch her first victory of the season.
Martin started her fall season in the No. 3 Singles flight and took home a pair of wins. The Madrid, Spain, native cruised in her opener, 6-2, 6-4, over Eva Dench of Texas State. In her Quarterfinal contest, Martin squared off with Liza Aginskaya of Stephen F. Austin and earned a 7-6 (6), 6-3 victory.
Martin, a senior, has now won five of her last six completed matches dating back to the 2015 spring season.
 | RESULTS |
Round of 16
F1 - Despoina Vogasari (Houston) def. Fabienne Gettwart (Sam Houston State) 6-1, 6-1
F2 - Jacobea Junger (UTSA) def. Tina Rupert (Houston) 6-3, 6-2
F3 - Rocio Martin (Houston) def. Eva Dench (Texas State) 6-2, 6-4
Quarterfinals
F1 - Despoina Vogasari (Houston) def. Astrid Gehre (UT-Arlington) 6-2, 6-0
F3 - Rocio Martin (Houston) def. Liza Aginskaya (Stephen F. Austin) 7-6 (6), 6-3
Consolation
F2 - Tina Rupert (Houston) def. Marie-Pier Thiffault (New Mexico State) 6-1, 6-1
| UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON |
The Cougars continue the Rice Invitational on Saturday. Vogasari and Rupert will team up for back-to-back doubles matches beginning at 9 a.m. CT, and all three active Cougars will participate in one singles match later in the day. With victories, Vogasari and Martin can punch their tickets to the championship matches of their respective flights.
| 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
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