
Tennis Drops Tough Battle Against West Virginia
3/29/2025 12:09:00 AM | Tennis
Cougars fall 4-3 against Mountaineers
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Tennis team fell 4-3, in a hard-fought match against West Virginia at Sweetwater Country Club on Friday.
Due to inclement weather in the area, the match was moved indoors with singles action followed by doubles play.
Houston (3-12, 0-9 Big 12) and West Virginia (7-13, 1-8 Big 12) split the singles matches, but the Mountaineers came out on top in doubles play.
Sophomore Valeriia Krokhotina picked up Houston's first single victory of the evening on court four as she defeated Maja Dodik, 6-3, 6-1.
The Cougars gained a 2-0 lead as fifth-year Santa Strombacha collected a victory on court one against Millie Haagensen, 6-2, 6-4.
West Virginia evened the match as Julie Bosseau defeated sophomore Iva Sepa, 7-6 (4), 6-4, on court two and Michaela Kucharova toppled sophomore Heta Nuutinen in a three-set match, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Junior Sophie Schouten earned a 6-2, 6-2 victory on court five against Lyla Byers to give Houston a 3-2 lead, but West Virginia tied the match as Laura Villanueva defeated junior Gabriela Cortes, 6-0, 6-2.
In doubles play, Krokhotina and Nuutinen gave the Cougars a brief advantage as they defeated Lyla Byers and Dodik, 6-2 on court three.
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Haagensen and Bosseau responded on court one as they posted a 6-3 victory against Schouten and Cortes. The match was ultimately decided on court two with a 6-4 victory by Kucharova and Villanueva over Strombacha and Sepa.
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UP NEXT
The Cougars close out their home regular season slate against Cincinnati at 2 p.m., Sunday.
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Sunday's match is filled with recognitions and giveaways. Houston Tennis great and 2006 Hall of Honor Inductee, Margaret Kitchen Redfearn will be recognized before the match.Â
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Houston will honor its lone senior, Strombacha beginning at 1:45 p.m.Â
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Sunday's festivities are presented by Trust Guss Injury Lawyers and 'Houston Tennis' branded pickleball paddles will be given to the first 50 fans in attendance courtesy of Trust Guss.
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The Cougars will wear pink in recognition of breast cancer awareness with FREE pink 'Houston Tennis' shirts given away to the first 50 fans.Â
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Free pizza and stickers will also be available for fans while supplies last.
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SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Tennis by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's very own NIL collective and by joining the Center Court Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Tennis for needs beyond its operating budget.
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STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarTennis on X, formerly known as Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTennis or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartennis.
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Due to inclement weather in the area, the match was moved indoors with singles action followed by doubles play.
Houston (3-12, 0-9 Big 12) and West Virginia (7-13, 1-8 Big 12) split the singles matches, but the Mountaineers came out on top in doubles play.
Sophomore Valeriia Krokhotina picked up Houston's first single victory of the evening on court four as she defeated Maja Dodik, 6-3, 6-1.
The Cougars gained a 2-0 lead as fifth-year Santa Strombacha collected a victory on court one against Millie Haagensen, 6-2, 6-4.
West Virginia evened the match as Julie Bosseau defeated sophomore Iva Sepa, 7-6 (4), 6-4, on court two and Michaela Kucharova toppled sophomore Heta Nuutinen in a three-set match, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Junior Sophie Schouten earned a 6-2, 6-2 victory on court five against Lyla Byers to give Houston a 3-2 lead, but West Virginia tied the match as Laura Villanueva defeated junior Gabriela Cortes, 6-0, 6-2.
In doubles play, Krokhotina and Nuutinen gave the Cougars a brief advantage as they defeated Lyla Byers and Dodik, 6-2 on court three.
Â
Haagensen and Bosseau responded on court one as they posted a 6-3 victory against Schouten and Cortes. The match was ultimately decided on court two with a 6-4 victory by Kucharova and Villanueva over Strombacha and Sepa.
Â
UP NEXT
The Cougars close out their home regular season slate against Cincinnati at 2 p.m., Sunday.
Â
Sunday's match is filled with recognitions and giveaways. Houston Tennis great and 2006 Hall of Honor Inductee, Margaret Kitchen Redfearn will be recognized before the match.Â
Â
Houston will honor its lone senior, Strombacha beginning at 1:45 p.m.Â
Â
Sunday's festivities are presented by Trust Guss Injury Lawyers and 'Houston Tennis' branded pickleball paddles will be given to the first 50 fans in attendance courtesy of Trust Guss.
Â
The Cougars will wear pink in recognition of breast cancer awareness with FREE pink 'Houston Tennis' shirts given away to the first 50 fans.Â
Â
Free pizza and stickers will also be available for fans while supplies last.
Â
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Tennis by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's very own NIL collective and by joining the Center Court Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Tennis for needs beyond its operating budget.
Â
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarTennis on X, formerly known as Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTennis or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartennis.
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– UHCougars.com –
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
Order of Finish:
4,1,2,3,5,6
Players Mentioned
11AM - Tennis, Courts 6 & 4: University of Houston vs. Kansas State
Sunday, April 07
11AM - Tennis, Courts 3 & 5: University of Houston vs. Kansas State
Sunday, April 07
11AM - Tennis, Courts 2 & 1: University of Houston vs. Kansas State
Sunday, April 07
Tennis, Courts 3 & 5: University of Houston vs. Oklahoma State
Friday, April 05