HUNTSVILLE – For the third time this season, the Sam Houston women's tennis team shut out an opponent as the Bearkats defeated Valparaiso 7-0 in a non-conference dual match on Saturday at the McAdams Tennis Center.
The Bearkats took five of their six singles victories in straight sets and won the number one and three doubles sets to clinch the doubles point. The No. 2 doubles match was stopped after the with the Kats in the lead 6-4.
"It's a good win for us to beat a team to beat a team this convincingly," Sam Houston head coach Rob Hubbard said. "Valparaiso is a good team who has played a strong schedule and this is the first time this year they've been shut out. We had good performances by everyone."
Sam Houston started the day winning the doubles point. Megan Basson and Paula Cerda defeated Olivia Czerwonka and Moira Silva 6-1 in the top position. Linn Svaerd and Sahithi Vutukuru topped Mia Bertino and Liz Sobieski at No. 3, 6-4. Vianne Schwab and Roberta Sechi were leading Jolene Fernandes and Sydney Stone 5-4 when their match was stopped.
At No. 1 Cerda upped her dual match singles record to 8-2 with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Moira Silva. Basson topped Oliva Czerwonda 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 2 spot.
Vutukuru split sets 6-4, 5-7 with Mia Bertino in the number three match then earned the victory with a 10-6 performance in the tiebreaker. India Fenieys defeated Jolene Fernandes 6-4, 6-0 at number four to improve her dual match singles record this spring to 5-4. Roberta Sechi won in straight sets over Sydney Stone 6-2, 7-6 (5) in the fifth slot. Linn Svaerd (5-0) remained undefeated in dual match singles this spring with a 6-2, 6-3 win versus Elizabeth Sobieski.
Sam Houston returns to action Wednesday when the Bearkats open their Conference USA schedule versus UTEP at the McAdams Tennis Center.
Sam Houston 7, Valparaiso 0
Singles competition
1. Paula Cerda (SHSU) def. Silva, Moira (VALPO) 6-2, 6-4
2. Megan Basson (SHSU) def. Czerwonka, Olivia (VALPO) 6-2, 6-1
3. Sahithi Vutukuru (SHSU) def. Bertino, Mia (VALPO) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0 (10-6)
4. India Fenieys (SHSU) def. Fernandes, Jolene (VALPO) 6-4, 6-0
5. Roberta Sechi (SHSU) def. Stone, Sydney (VALPO) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
6. Linn Svaerd (SHSU) def. Sobieski, Elizabeth (VALPO) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Megan Basson/Paula Cerda (SHSU) def. Czerwonka, Olivia/Silva, Moira (VALPO) 6-1
2. Vianne Schwab/Roberta Sechi (SHSU) vs. Fernandes, Jolene/Stone, Sydney (VALPO) 5-4, unfinished
3. Linn Svaerd/Sahithi Vutukuru (SHSU) def. Bertino, Mia/Sobieski, Elizabeth (VALPO) 6-4
Match Notes: Team Records - Valparaiso 3-5 Sam Houston 5-4
