SAM HOUSTON WOMEN'S TENNIS

SAM HOUSTON 5, MONTANA 2

EL PASO ? Irina Sotnikova and Peta Taylor won at number one and two singles and paired for a victory at number one doubles to lead Sam Houston State to a 5-2 non-conference women's tennis victory Sunday afternoon at the UTEP Tennis Center.

The victory was Sam Houston's first of the 2008 season. The Bearkats fell to Arkansas State 5-2 on Friday and UTEP 6-1 Saturday at the Miners' Women's Tennis Classic hosted by Texas-El Paso.

"We saw progress every day of the tournament as the girls shook off the rust and got going," Head Coach Jim Giachino said. "This tournament was a good opportunity to play some quality teams.”

Sam Houston will play its first home women's tennis dual match Saturday at 2 p.m. when the Bearkats play host to Southern Mississippi at the McAdams Tennis Center.

Sunday, Nora Kuruc and Patricia Manzur won at number three and five singles, respectively. Kuruc and Stasa Vujosevic paired to win the number two doubles to earn Sam Houston the doubles point.

Tennis Match Results

Sam Houston State vs Montana

Jan 27, 2008 at El Paso, TX

Sam Houston State 5, Montana 2

Doubles point:

1. Irina Sotnikova/Peta Taylor (SHSU) def. Mari Castello/Liz Walker (MT) 8-4

2. Nora Kuruc/Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) def. Cara Lehmann/Jessica Souza (MT) 8-2

3. Kayla Mouise/Martyna Newok (MT) def. Patricia Manzur/Lilit Martierosyan (SHSU) 8-3

Singles competition:

1. Irina Sotnikova (SHSU) def. Liz Walker (MT) 6-2, 6-0

2. Peta Taylor (SHSU) def. Mari Castello (MT) 6-2, 6-4

3. Nora Kuruc (SHSU) def. Kayla Mouise (MT) 6-1, 6-0

4. Martyna Newok (MT) def. Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) 7-6, 6-4

5. Patricia Manzur (SHSU) def. Jessica Souza (MT) 6-3, 6-4

6. Cara Lehmann (MT) def. Lilit Martierosyan (SHSU) 6-2, 6-1

Match Notes:

Sam Houston State 1-2

Montana 0-4