HUNTSVILLE – Rallying to post four straight set singles victories after dropping the doubles point, Sam Houston women's tennis defeated Texas-Rio Grande Valley 4-3 Sunday afternoon to up their winning streak to four dual matches and their season record to 5-2.
Carrie Casey, Khee Yen Wee, Luscine Chobanyan and Mila Milanovic accounted for the four points. Casey was the first to finish, defeating Anastasis Bevaeva 6-0 6-2 at number four. Wee rolled to a 6-2 6-2 win over Marine Darzya at two singles.
Chobanyan remained undefeated in singles play with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Lasya Patnaik at number six. Milanovic's 6-3 6-2 win against Doris Aleksova at number five clinched the victory.
“I knew we were going to have a difficult time today,” head coach Rob Hubbard said. “Texas-Rio Grande Valley is my alma mater and I follow them closely. They remind me of the turn-around team we had last year. We weren't quite ready for them in the doubles. The singles we did fine although we left a couple out on the court.”
Chobanyan now stands 6-0 at number six in the Bearkats' dual match play. Casey upped her season singles mark to 6-1. Sam Houston's four consecutive team wins have come over UTSA, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State and UTRGV.
“Khee had a good turnaround in her singles play,” Hubbard said. “She's been sick and injured and played hurt. Now she is close to being 100 percent Today she found her game and did a good job. She handled her opponent from start to finish. Carrie Casey played a whale of a match. She was on that girl from start to finish. Mila's win and Lucy remaining undefeated also stands out.”
Sam Houston's only losses this year have come to Texas A&M and the University of Houston. The Bearkats took two singles matches from the Aggies, a squad that reached the NCAA championships round of 16 last year. The Bearkats have one more week of non-conference matches before beginning Southland Conference action.
“We have things to work on, but over all we're happy,” Hubbard said. “Obviously any time you get a win against a tough team like UT-RGV. it's a good thing. Definitely there are some areas where we need to improve before the start of conference play in March.”
Next weekend the Kats will travel to play at Texas-Arlington on Saturday then return to Huntsville for a home match with Texas State.
Tennis Match Resullts
SAM HOUSTON 4, TEXAS-RIO GRANDE VALLEY 3
Feb 18, 2018 at McAdams Tennis Courts
Doubles competition
1. Marine Darzya/Dominique Ibana (UTRGV) def. Carrie Casey/Mila Milanovic (SHSU) 6-3
2. Doris Aleksovka/Dominique Fuster (UTRGV) def. Fabienne Gettwart/Khee Yen Wee (SHSU) 6-2
3. Anastasis Bevaeva/Emma Tranberg (UTRGV) vs. Rosalie Gerritsen/Sahaja Yamalapalli (SHSU) unfinished
Singles competition
1. Dominique Fuster (UTRGV) def. Fabienne Gettwart (SHSU) 7-5, 2-6, 7-5
2. Khee Yen Wee (SHSU) def. Marine Darzya (UTRGV) 6-2, 6-2
3. Dominique Ibana (UTRGV) def. Sahaja Yamalapalli (SHSU) 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (11-9)
4. Carrie Casey (SHSU) def. Anastasis Bevaeva (UTRGV) 6-0, 6-2
5. Mila Milanovic (SHSU) def. Doris Aleksovka (UTRGV) 6-3, 6-2
6. Lusine Chobanyan (SHSU) def. Lasya Patnaik (UTRGV) 6-2, 6-4
Match Notes: Texas-Rio Grande Valley 3-5 Sam Houston 5-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (4,2,6,3,5,1)
