University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Embark on Final Road Trip
3/22/2017 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
SALT LAKE CITY â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Tennis team will head out on its final road trip of the 2016-17 regular season when it travels west to meet Utah and BYU in a pair of weekend matches.
First serve against Utah is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT, Thursday, in Salt Lake City, and the Cougars will meet BYU on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, in Provo, Utah.
ABOUT THE COUGARS
Houston enters play with an 8-8 record after falling 4-2 to Memphis on Saturday.
The Cougars have been led in singles play this season by junior Sveva Mazzari who holds a 9-3 record and has won four consecutive matches dating back to March 4 against Illinois State. Mazzari battled back to pick up a point for the Cougars in a 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Anki Wind of Memphis a week ago.
Freshman Tsveta Dimitrova ranks second on the team with eight wins during spring play. The Padardzhik, Bulgaria, native has also won four consecutive singles matches.
Mazzari has teamed with freshman Lauren Alter on the doubles court this season to lead the Cougars with six wins, while Dimitrova has partnered with both freshman Cristina Rovira and junior Ana Glumac to pick up three wins apiece.
ABOUT THE UTES
Utah enters play on Thursday with a 4-3 overall record after dropping two of three matches in their previous weekend of competition.
Utah has been led in singles play by junior Alexia Petrovic who has compiled a 5-2 record. Competing at the No. 3 singles position for the Utes, Petrovic opened the season with five straight wins, including a victory over No. 70 Kelley Anderson of Arizona State, before dropping her last two matches.
In doubles play this season, Utah's team of Taylor Calton and Jena Chang have combined to lead the squad with three wins while playing at the No. 2 doubles position.
ABOUT THE (OTHER) COUGARS
BYU currently holds a 3-8 record on the season, and will welcome Utah State to Provo on Friday, before hosting Houston on Saturday. The Cougars have dropped three straight matches and six of their last seven.
Senior Savanna Ware-Avina has led BYU in singles wins this season, with six, while freshman Samantha Smith has five. Ware-Avina picked up BYU's only singles point against Fresno State on March 11, when she defeated Katerina Stloukalova 6-2, 6-1.
BYU has been a solid doubles team this season, and Smith and Ware-Avina combine to lead the Cougars with six doubles wins. The duo of Polina Malykh and Natella Nabieva sit second on the team with a 5-1 record while playing at the No. 3 doubles position.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
Houston returns home to begin a 4-game homestand to close out the 2017 regular season, when the Cougars host Lamar at the Houston Country Club on Sunday, April 2. First serve against the Cardinals is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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).
