Netters challenge SMU, Montana State in Dallas
2/4/2016 5:34:00 PM | Women's Tennis
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The Sam Houston women's tennis team takes the competition up a notch as the Bearkats head to Dallas Friday to take on SMU at 5 p.m. and Montana State on Saturday at 11 a.m. Both matches will be held at the SMU Tennis Complex.
The Bearkats won two of three matches on their opening weekend of competition at the McAdams Center on the SHSU campus. Sam Houston defeated LSU-Alexandria and Prairie View A&M both by 7-0 scores on Friday and Sunday, respectively. The Kats fell to Louisiana Tech 6-1 on Saturday.
SMU opened their 2016 schedule with a pair of victories over Southland Conference opponents, defeating Abilene Christian and McNeese State.
Senior Maddie Mortimore went unbeaten in both singles and doubles in the three matches. She paired with Ema Barkovic in the three wins at number two doubles. Fabienne Gettwart, Carrie Casey, Mila Milanovic, Caitlyn Mitchell and Barkovic all went 2-1 in singles during the weekend home series.
“We overcame some nervousness in the opening match and played better every day,” Sam Houston head coach Jim Giachino. “We're trying to build the mindset that we can compete with anyone if we play our game. SMU has a very talented team with a lot of experience. Montana State will be a challenging test as well.”
The Mustangs' Hristina Dishkova was named the American Athletic Conference women's tennis player of the week following SMU's 2-0 start last week. Dishkova paired with partner Vaszillisza Bulgakova to win both No. 1 doubles tilts. She also won in singles in both contests at No. 1 singles.
SMU features an experienced lineup of three juniors and three seniors who have combined to play in 862 total matches in their Mustang careers.
Montana State opened their season last week with losses to Idaho and Washington State. The Cats' roster consists of six juniors and a sophomore.
Following the trip north to Dallas Sam Houston will return for a home match Sunday, Feb. 14, against South Dakota State at the McAdams Tennis Center.
