University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Commence 2016 Season against Razorbacks
1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HOUSTON â€" It's a New Year, and a new season, and the Houston Cougar Tennis team is kicking off the 2016 spring season on the road in Fayetteville, Ark. to face the No. 36 University of Arkansas Razorbacks on January 16.
Doubles action is slated to begin at noon Saturday for the first meeting between the two schools since 2013. Arkansas claimed victory in that match 2-4 on April 14.
The Cougars finished the 2015 spring season ranked No. 34 in the nation, but have since moved to the No. 38 spot in the latest ITA Oracle Rankings, previously occupied by the Razorbacks. This weekend marks only the second time that Houston has competed as a team under first-year head coach Courtney Steinbock, who returned six letterwinners this spring.
Among these returners is junior, Despoina Vogasari, who is currently ranked No. 34 in singles play following a 10-3 fall season. Vogasari made her second straight appearance in the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championship, where she finished 1-1
Two seniors bring veteran leadership to the 2016 Cougar squad. Rocio Martin went 16-11 last season including a 9-3 mark from the No. 4 singles spot, while Maria Cardenas battled injuries to finish the year 16-12. Both players thrived in pressure situations last season, with Martin clinching victories over Washington and Missouri and Cardenas earning the crucial point in a win over Utah.
Junior Tina Rupert is a two-time All-American Athletic Conference selection and also a two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete. The Ljublijana, Slovenia, native won 13 matches last season including a win in the American Athletic Conference Championship Match.
Sophomores Angela Lorenzo and Mina Markovic both gained valuable experience as freshmen, when they quickly earned vital roles in the Houston lineup. Lorenzo went 18-4 as a rookie, posting the fifth-best single-season winning percentage (.818) in UH history along with earning her first career ITA singles ranking. Markovic finished 14-8, with five victories against American Athletic Conference opponents.
Houston will have to battle Arkansas' powerful duo of Yuliya Lysa and Shannon Hudson who captured the No. 27 spot in the ITA doubles rankings this fall. In total the Razorbacks are returning eight letterwinners this season and are led by Michael Hegarty, who is beginning his 13th season at Arkansas. Hegarty is the winningest coach in program history.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
Houston heads back on the road to compete in the ITA Kick-of Weekend from April 22 to April 24 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Cougars will meet TCU in the first round, before matching up against either Ohio State or Pepperdine in the second round, depending on the Cougars' finish against TCU.
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.
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 (@UHCougars), 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).
Players Mentioned
