ABILENE – In a rain-shortened non-conference tennis dual match that was forced indoors in the Teague Event Center, Abilene Christian shut out Sam Houston 4-0 Saturday.

The Wildcats opened by taking the doubles point with victories at the Nos. 1 and 3 positions. Masha Vrsalovic and Maria Cascos of ACU defeated Paula Cerda and Megan Basson 6-2  at No. 1. Wildcats Andrea Guerrero and Olivia Sears topped Bearkats Sahithi Vutukuru and Linn Svaerd 6-4 in No. 3 contest.

ACU clinched the team contest with victories at the top three singles positions. Olivia Sears  defeated Paula Cerda 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1. Maryjoe Crisologo went three sets with Megan Basson to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Vrsalovic topped Sahithi Vutukuru 6-0, 6-3.

Sam Houston now stands 6-6 in non-conference dual match action. Abilene Christian upper its record to 3-9.

The Bearkats return to Conference USA action Friday March 22 when they travel to Lynchburg, Va. to play Liberty. The next home contest for the Sam Houston netters will be March 30 when the Kats play host to Louisiana Tech at the McAdams Tennis Center.

Abilene Christian 4, Sam Houston 0
Mar 16, 2024 at Abilene, Texas (Teague Event Center)

Singles competition
1. Olivia Sears (ACU) def. Paula Cerda (SHSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Maryjoe Crisologo (ACU) def. Megan Basson (SHSU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
3. Masha Vrsalovic (ACU) def. Sahithi Vutukuru (SHSU) 6-0, 6-3
4. Maria Cascos (ACU) vs. India Fenieys (SHSU) 4-6, 4-2, unfinished
5. Andrea Guerrero (ACU) vs. Roberta Sechi (SHSU) 6-2, 2-1, unfinished
6. Libby Blair (ACU) vs. Linn Svaerd (SHSU) unfinished

Doubles competition
1. Masha Vrsalovic/Maria Cascos (ACU) def. Paula Cerda/Megan Basson (SHSU) 6-2
2. Maryjoe Crisologo/Libby Blair (ACU) vs. Vianne Schwab/Roberta Sechi (SHSU) 5-3, unfinished
3. Andrea Guerrero/Olivia Sears (ACU) def. Sahithi Vutukuru/Linn Svaerd (SHSU) 6-4

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (3,1,2)
Team Records: Sam Houston 6-6 Abilene Christian 3-9