HOUSTON – The No. 61 UTSA women’s tennis team defeated the Houston Cougars, 4-2, on Friday afternoon.
With the win, the Roadrunners have won their last two consecutive matchups against the Cougars. Last season’s win was UTSA’s first over Houston in the all-time series, dating back to 2002.
UTSA earned an early 1-0 advantage with the doubles point. The duo of Fatima Gutierrez and Ekua Youri defeated Houston’s Laura Slisane and Maria Dzemeshkevich by 6-1 at the No. 2 court to open doubles action. Aleksandra Zlatarova and Cassie McLay paired up to clinch doubles as they defeated Sophie Schouten and Sonya Kovalenko by 6-3 at the first court.
Freshman Vittoria Baccino earned the first singles point as she quickly defeated Dzemeshkevich at the No. 3 spot by sets of 6-2 and 6-1. The Cougars finally put a point on the board by taking the sixth court. Youri took down Kovalenko by sets of 6-4 and 6-3 at the fifth court, setting up UTSA within one point of victory (3-1).
Houston continued to fight back as the Cougars took the top court point to make the score 3-2, still in favor of UTSA. Battling at the No. 2 spot, Gutierrez continues to showcase how she can fight back against any adversity thrown her way. After losing the first set by 6-3 to Schouten, the sophomore won a 6-4 second set. Gutierrez gave it her all in the third set, taking it 6-1, to lead UTSA to a 4-2 win over Houston.
The Roadrunners improve to a 7-1 record, while the Cougars fall to 1-4 on the season.
Quoting Coach Ki Kroll
"It was a great win today! Our women competed very well, despite the tough task of playing in someone else's back yard. I’m very proud of everyone. Birds Up!”
UTSA 4 – HOUSTON 2
Doubles Results (UTSA 1, HOUSTON 0)
Order of Finish: 2, 1
1. Aleksandra Zlatarova/Cassie McLay def. Sophie Schouten: 6-3
2. Fatima Gutierrez/Ekua Youri def. Laura Slisane/Maria Dzemeshkevich: 6-1
3. Vittoria Baccino/Magda Tuells vs. Blanca Cortijo Parreno/Gabriela Cortes: (UF) 5-3
Singles Results (UTSA 3, HOUSTON 2)
Order of Finish: 3, 6, 5, 1, 2
1. Laura Slisane def. Aleksandra Zlatarova: 7-5, 6-4
2. Fatima Gutierrez def. Sophie Schouten: 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
3. Vittoria Baccino def. Maria Dzemeshkevich: 6-2, 6-1
4. Cassie McLay vs. Gabriela Cortes: (UF) 7-6 (2), 4-4
5. Ekua Youri def. Sonya Kovalenko: 6-4, 6-3
6. Blanca Cortijo Parreno def. Magda Tuells: 6-1, 6-3
Up Next
The Roadrunners are back in action on Saturday, facing the Rice Owls in Houston at 11 a.m.
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