University of Houston Athletics
Cougars' Road Trip Continues in Midwest
3/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
MANHATTAN, Kan. â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Tennis team continues its month-long road trip with a trio of matches this weekend. On Friday, the Cougars meet Kansas State at 1 p.m., in Manhattan, Kan., before facing off against Nebraska at 11 a.m., and Illinois State at 4 p.m., Saturday, in Lincoln, Neb.
ABOUT THE COUGARS
Houston begins play this weekend with a 4-6 overall record after falling at No. 35 Washington 5-0 and at Oregon 4-0 last weekend.
On the singles court, freshman Tsveta Dimitrova and junior Sveva Mazzari pace the Cougars with each holding a 4-2 record this season. Dimitrova leads the Cougars from the No. 1 singles position, while Mazzari plays at the No. 2 position.
Mazzari and Dimitrova have played a key role in Houston's success on the doubles court as well this season. Mazzari has teamed with freshman Lauren Alter, and Dimitrova with freshman Cristina Rovira to produce 3-3 records from each team.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Kansas State enters play with a 7-4 overall record after splitting a pair of matches last weekend, beating Illinois-Chicago 7-0, before falling to DePaul 4-3.
Kansas State has been paced in singles play this season by senior Livia Cirnu who holds a 9-2 record in dual play. At the No. 1 singles position for the Wildcats, Carolina Costamagna ranks second on the team in wins and boasts a 7-4 mark during the spring season. On the doubles court, Kansas State has claimed five of the last seven doubles points in its respective matches.
SCOUTING THE CORNHUSKERS
The No. 39 Nebraska Cornhuskers will be the Cougars' first opponent on Saturday. Nebraska is undefeated in 2017 with a 12-0 record including a 4-3 win over No. 35 Wichita State on Feb. 26. Following the win over the Shockers, the Huskers went on to defeat Omaha 7-0 without dropping a set.
Junior Katerina Matysova has turned in an impressive start to the 2017 season, picking up her team-leading 10th win against Omaha last week.
SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS
Illinois State will be Houston's final opponent on the weekend, as the two teams meet at a neutral site in Lincoln, Neb. The Redbirds sit at 5-5 as a team this season after defeating Eastern Illinois 4-3 last weekend.
Valerija Gercar holds Eastern Illinois' best singles record this season at 8-2, and she is currently riding a 3-match winning streak. Andrea Beneroso, Gabriela Sprague and Marcia Tere-Apisah all have four wins in dual play.
The Redbirds have fielded just three different doubles teams this season. The duo of Tere-Apisah and Jelena Karla Vujici as well as the team of Sprague and Jana Kustkova have six wins each in doubles play so far.
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).
