University of Houston
Rice Invitational
Chitdara, Ndunda Win at Rice Invitational
9/21/2018 7:07:00 PM | Tennis
Cougars win two singles matches to open Besovic era
HOUSTON – The Houston Cougar Women's Tennis team opened the 2018 fall season and the Helena Besovic era with the first day of the Rice Invitational on Friday.
After a short weather delay, play began with doubles action, where Phonexay Chitdara and Sophie Gerits made their Houston debuts. Matched up against Rice's Michaela Haet and Linda Huang, the Cougars dropped the season-opening match 6-2.
Chitdara's Houston debut on the singles court came against Laura Pellicer of USF in Flight 5. The sophomore rolled to a victory in the first set 6-1, before returning to sweep the match with another 6-1 victory in the second set to pick up her first win at Houston.
Sophomore transfer Ndindi Ndunda made her debut with Houston on the singles court, drawing Gabriella Guilarte of SFA in Flight 6. As the final Cougar in action on Saturday, Ndunda cruised to a 6-1 victory in the first set, before clinching the match with a 6-3 decision in the second frame.
Gerits would return to action later in the afternoon for her first collegiate singles match, where she met Huang in Flight 2 singles. After dropping the first set 6-0, Gerits battled in the second set, forcing a tie at 5-5, before eventually dropping the set 7-5.
Action continues for the trio of Cougars at the Rice Invitational with the Second Round and Consolation Round of the tournament, Saturday. Play is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m., however due to the threat of inclement weather in the area, start times are subject to change. Fans can follow the official Twitter account of Houston Tennis, @UHCougarTennis for updates.
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