University of Houston
No. 4 UCF
Houston Stuns UCF at American Championships
4/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
MEMPHIS -- The No. 5 seed Houston Women's Tennis team made an impressive debut in its first match at The American Athletic Conference Championship on Thursday, defeating No. 4 seed UCF, 4-0 in Memphis, Tenn.
The Cougars secured their first point in doubles play with Despoina Vogasari and Rocio Martin beating Sofia Baptista and Natalia Serrano 6-2 on the top court and Maria Cardenas and Angela Lorenzo defeating Monica Matias and Cortney Cesarini 6-3 on the third court.
The Coogs' success continued into singles competition where Houston won the No. 2 and 3 courts in straight sets. On the second court, Mina Markovic defeated Baptista 6-1, 7-6 (7-3), while Rocio Martin dominated Emilia Granstrom on court three 6-3, 6-3.
The decisive point came when Vogasari finished out the day with a third-set victory over Caroline Eberhart on the top court. After Eberhart defeated Vogasari in the first set 6-3, the Athens, Greece native responded to take the next two sets 6-1, 6-2, to secure Houston's spot in the semifinals.
Tina Rupert was up 2-0 in the third set against Cesarini on the fourth court when the match was called. Due to rain in the area, the match was moved to the indoor facility where only four courts could be used, which delayed the start of the matches on courts five and six. Those matches were ultimately not needed.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Cougars return to action at 3 p.m., Friday to take on Tulsa, who defeated Tulane 4-1 on Thursday. Friday's contest will serve as a rematch from the two teams' April 9 meeting where Tulsa defeated the Cougars 5-2 at the Houston Country Club.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
FIRST ROUND - Wednesday, April 20
Match 1: No 8 Tulane 4, No. 9 UConn 1
Match 2: No. 11 Memphis 4, No. 6 East Carolina 1
Match 3: No. 10 Cincinnati 4, No. 7 Temple 2
QUARTERFINAL ROUND - Thursday, April 21
Match 4: No. 1 Tulsa 4, No. 8 Tulane 1
Match 5: No. 5 Houston 4, No. 4 UCF 0
Match 6: No. 3 SMU vs. No. 11 Memphis | 3 p.m.
Match 7: No. 2 USF vs. No. 10 Cincinnati | 3 p.m.
SEMIFINAL ROUND - Friday, April 22
Match 8: No. 1 Tulsa vs. No. 5 Houston | 3 p.m.
Match 9: Winner Match 6 vs. Winner Match 7
FINAL ROUND - Saturday, April 23
Match 10: Winner Match 8 vs. Winner Match 9
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
