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Cougar Netters Defeat Cross-Town Rival Rice, 5-4

HOUSTON (March 8) -- It was an exciting match from start to finish as the University of Houston women's tennis team stole a close one from the neighboring Rice Owls on Tuesday afternoon at the Rice Courts. Houston leads the all-time series record with Rice, haven beaten the Owls in 13 of their past 24 contests.

Competition began with singles play where Houston struggled at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. Though the Lady Cougars would persevere, winning three out of the six competitions. Joanna Cunliffe, who dropped her first set to Rice's Judith Hagedorn, but fought back to win the match 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, led Houston. Also victorious for UH were freshmen sensations Jen Baccarani and Annie Rapp who each disposed of their opponents Jeri Gonzales and Stephanie Moat in two straight sets.

The two teams were tied 3-3 after singles, but strong doubles play led by Galina Seliounina and Mette Sigmundstad helped to clench the victory for Houston. The senior duo ousted the Owls' Lewis and Hagedorn 8-4, while Houston's No. 2 team of Cunliffe and Baccarani also came away with a victory 8-5 over Gonzales and Moat. The Cougars hit the road for their next two matches, traveling to Tampa, Florida on March 17-18 to take on Conference USA rival, South Florida and also Miami. Both matches are scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

Singles
1. Elle Lewis (RU) d. Galina Seliounina (UH) 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
2. Erin Waters (RU) d. Mette Sigmundstad (UH) 7-6, 6-0
3. Joanna Cunliffe (UH) d. Judith Hagedorn (RU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
4. Jen Baccarani (UH) d. Jeri Gonzales (RU) 6-2, 6-3
5. Annie Rapp (UH) d. Stephanie Moat (RU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Natalie Briaud (RU) d. Karine Urbin (UH) 6-2, 6-4

Doubles
1. Seliounina/Sigmundstad (UH) d. Lewis/Hagedorn (RU) 8-4
2. Cunliffe/Baccarani (UH) d. Gonzales/Briaud (RU) 8-5
3. Moat/Waters (RU) d. Rapp/Urbin (UH) 8-1

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