University of Houston
No.1 Tulsa
Cougars Fall in American Championship Semifinals
4/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
MEMPHIS -- After an upset win on Thursday to advance to the American Athletic Conference Championship semifinals, the Houston Women's Tennis Team's tournament run came to an end with a 4-2 loss to No. 1 seed Tulsa on Friday.
The Cougars got off to a quick start by securing the doubles point for the second consecutive day with wins on courts one and two. Despoina Vogasari and Rocio Martin teamed up to defeat Ksenia Laskutova-Renata Kuricova 6-3 on the top court, while Mina Markovic and Tina Rupert beat Rongrong Leenabanchong and Martah Matoula 6-1, on court two. Maria Cardenas and Angela Lorenzo led Saana Saarteinen and Mahitha Dadireddy 5-4, when the doubles point was decided.
The Golden Hurricane tied the score at one apiece to start singles play when Leenabanchong defeated Martin, 6-1, 6-1, on court three. However, the Cougars responded to reclaim the lead when Cardenas beat Kuricova in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, on court five.
Tulsa again came back to even the score at two, when Cichon pulled out a win on court four 6-1, 6-4, over Rupert. The Golden Hurricane claimed the lead for the first time with a court two win for No. 121 Laskutova over Markovic 7-6, 6-1.
On the top court, No. 118 Vogasari dropped the first set to No. 104 Saarteinen 6-3 and battled in the second set before eventually falling 7-5 to give Tulsa the decisive point. Lorenzo and Matoula had just begun play on court six when the match was decided.
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
