Karen Martinez and Maddie Mortimore won both in singles and doubles for Sam Houston State as the women's tennis team opened its 2015 dual match schedule with a 4-3 loss to Texas-Pan American Sunday afternoon at the McAdams Tennis Center.
Martinez paired with Olivia Battye for a 7-5 victory over Reegan Greenwood and Katia Stavroulaki of UTPA in the number one doubles set. Mortimore teamed with Mila Milanovic to win the number two doubles 6-1 over Christel Amsallem and Lison Le Biavant. The wins earned the doubles point for the Bearkats.
In singles Martinez was the first Kat off the court with a quick 6-1 6-2 victory over Natacha Minc at number five singles.
Mortimore was the last SHSU player to finish, going three sets with Amsallem in a 6-1 6-7 6-1 marathon at number six.
Milanovic lost in three sets to Greenwood 6-2 7-6 7-5 in the number four singles. Each of the other Bearkats lost in straight sets.
“Coming into today's match, we knew UTPA was a much improved team over last year,” SHSU tennis coach Jim Giachino said. “With our freshmen playing their first collegiate match ever, nerves were a factor. We're going to be okay once we get some more match experience.”
Next action for Sam Houston will be a dual match in Dallas against SMU Friday, January 30. The Bearkats play host to Texas-San Antonio in their next home match Friday, February 6.
Texas-Pan American 4, Sam Houston State 3
Doubles competition
1. Olivia Battye/Karen Martinez (SHSU) def. Reegan Greenwood/Katia Stavroulaki (UTPA) 7-5
2. Mila Milanovic/Maddie Mortimore (SHSU) def. Christel Amsallem/Lison Le Biavant (UTPA) 6-1
3. Dominique Esparza/Mariana Ranzahuer (UTPA) def. Fabienne Gettwart/Bailey VanDyke (SHSU) 6-4
Singles competition
1. Katia Stavroulaki (UTPA) def. Olivia Battye (SHSU) 6-1, 6-3
2. Dominique Esparza (UTPA) def. Fabienne Gettwart (SHSU) 6-0, 7-6
3. Mariana Ranzahuer (UTPA) def. Bailey VanDyke (SHSU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Reegan Greenwood (UTPA) def. Mila Milanovic (SHSU) 6-2, 7-6, 7-5
5. Karen Martinez (SHSU) def. Natacha Minc (UTPA) 6-1, 6-2
6. Maddie Mortimore (SHSU) def. Christel Amsallem (UTPA) 6-1, 6-7, 6-1
Match Notes:
Texas-Pan American 1-0
Sam Houston State 0-1
