HUNTSVILLE, TX ? Irina Sotnikova won at number one singles and teamed with Peta Taylor at number one doubles to provide the Bearkats its only victories in a 6-1 non-conference women's tennis dual match Monday afternoon at the McAdams Tennis Center.

Sotnikova defeated Sherry Price 7-5 6-3 in singles. Sotnikova and Taylor won over Ali Blackett and Lauren Gutterman 8-5 in the number one doubles pro set.

Nora Kuruc and Patty Mazur lost at number three and five singles, respectively, in three sets.

“Southern Mississippi is a good team that was ranked nationally all last season. We knew this was going to be a tough one,” SHSU Head Coach Jim Giachino said. “We had some bright spots and we have some areas where we need to improve. We played well at number one doubles and Irina's singles victory was outstanding.”

Sam Houston State stands 1-3 for the season. Southern Mississippi evened its 2008 record at 1-1.

The Bearkats hit the road to Bozeman, MT, for matches with Montana State Friday and Southern Colorado Saturday.

Tennis Match Results

Southern Miss vs Sam Houston State

Feb 04, 2008 at Huntsville, TX

Southern Miss 6, Sam Houston State 3

Singles competition:

1. Irina Sotnikova (SHSU) def. Sherry Price (USMW) 7-5, 6-3

2. Peta Taylor (SHSU) def. Ali Blackett (USMW) 7-5, 6-4

3. Stephanie Dellocono (USMW) def. Nora Kuruc (SHSU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-2

4. Zoe Lee (USMW) def. Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) 6-0, 6-1

5. Lauren Gutterman (USMW) def. Patricia Manzur (SHSU) 6-3, 1-6, 6-1

6. Natalia Parrado (USMW) def. Lilit Martierosyan (SHSU) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles competition:

1. Irina Sotnikova/Peta Taylor (SHSU) def. Ali Blackett/Lauren Gutterman (USMW) 8-5

2. Sherry Price/Shannon Rogers (USMW) def. Nora Kuruc/Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) 8-4

3. Stephanie Dellocono/Zoe Lee (USMW) def. Patricia Manzur/Roxana Martinez (SHSU) 8-2

Match Notes:

Southern Miss 1-1

Sam Houston State 1-3