University of Houston
UConn
Cougars Defeat Conference Rival UConn, 5-2
3/10/2017 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
HARTFORD â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Tennis team won its third straight contest with a 5-2 victory over American Athletic Conference rival UConn on Friday at the East Hartford Tennis Club.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The match began with doubles play where the Cougars picked up their first overall point by taking two of three matches. Houston jumped ahead with a 6-2 win from Lauren Alter and Sveva Mazzari over Shea Flanagan and Jacqueline Lazaro at the No. 3 position. The victory marked the fifth of the season for the pair.
The Cougars secured the point at the No. 1 doubles position when Tsveta Dimitrova and Ana Glumac teamed to defeat Emma Alderman and Yelyzaveta Pletnyeva 6-4. The win for the team was their fourth this season. With the point already going to Houston, the Cougars duo of Cristina Rovira and Constandena Nicolaou fell to Gillian Perrotta and Jacquelyn Fitz-Randolph 7-6 (7-5) in the final doubles match.
Houston quickly extended its lead in singles play with a win from Dimitrova at the No. 1 singles position. Dimitrova took set one over Alderman 6-2 before following with a 6-1 win in set two to take the match. The victory for Dimitrova is her eighth this season and fourth straight.
Mazzari picked up Houston's third point in the team score when she matched Dimitrova with her eighth win of the season at the No. 2 singles position. Mazzari had to battle in the first set, winning 7-5, before cruising to a 6-1 win in the second set.
UConn picked up its first singles point from Lazaro at the No. 6 position. Lazaro played Glumac to a 6-4, 6-4 victory to bring the team score to 3-1 in favor of Houston.
Houston responded with a match-clinching victory at the No. 5 singles position from Nicolaou. The first set against Flanagan was pushed to a tie-breaker where Nicolaou prevailed 7-6 (7-2). Nicolaou left no doubt in the second set, wrapping the match with a 6-3 win to give Houston its fourth point.
The Cougars picked up their fifth point of the contest on perhaps the closest match of the day. Alter raced in front of Summer Walker with a 6-3 win in the first set, but Walker answered with a 6-3 win of her own to even the match. In the third set however, Alter was able to regain momentum and finished the match with a 6-1 win at the No. 4 position.
With the match already in hand, the Huskies tallied their second point of the contest. At the No. 3 singles position, Fitz-Randolph squeaked past Rovira in the first set 7-6 (7-2) to take the early lead. The two were locked in another thrilling set in the second, but it was Fitz-Randolph coming away victorious 7-5.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
The Cougars return home to the Barbara Wallace Winston Tennis Facility when they host Memphis on Saturday, March 18. First serve against the American Athletic Conference opponent is set for noon.
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.
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Players Mentioned
