HOUSTON -- Irina Sotnikova teamed with Peta Taylor to win the number one doubles pro set, then defeated Julie Chao at number one singles to highlight action for Sam Houston State in the Bearkats' first dual match of the women's tennis season as SHSU fell to Rice 6-1 at Jake Hess Tennis Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Sotnikova and Taylor defeated Chao and Ana Guzman 8-4 at number one doubles. The Owls took the doubles point as Jessica Jackson and Varsha Shiva-Shankar defeated Giorgia Pozzan and Stasa Vujosevice 8-5 at number two and Emily Baird and Alex Rasch edged Eleonora Kuruc and Paty Manzur 8-6 at number three.
Sotnikova provided the Bearkats their only point of the match by defeating Chao 4-6 6-4 1-0 (12-10). Rice won at each of the other singles flights in straight sets.
"This was a tough opening match, going up a top 75 ranked team like Rice on the road," SHSU head coach Jim Giachino. "We have to shake off a little rust, but the effort and the attitude were there."
Sam Houston State will play its first home tennis dual match Sunday at 2 p.m. when the Bearkats play host to Abilene Christian.
Tennis Match Results
Sam Houston State vs Rice
Jan 25, 2009 at Houston, TX
Rice 6, Sam Houston State 1
Singles competition
1. Irina Sotnikova (SHSU) def. Julie Chao (RICE) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (12-10)
2. Ana Guzman (RICE) def. Giorgia Pozzan (SHSU) 6-1, 6-4
3. Jessica Jackson (RICE) def. Peta Taylor (SHSU) 6-0, 6-4
4. Rebecca Lin (RICE) def. Eleonora Kuruc (SHSU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Varsha Shiva-Shankar (RICE) def. Lilit Martirosyan (SHSU) 6-1, 6-2
6. Alex Rasch (RICE) def. Paty Manzur (SHSU) 7-5, 6-1
