LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty Flames, ranked No. 65 in the current NCAA women's tennis national rankings, opened their 2024 Conference USA schedule with a 4-0 victory over Sam Houston Friday afternoon on their home courts.
Earning the doubles point and winning at the number one, three and five singles positions, Liberty upped its season record to 9-5. The contest marked the Flames' CUSA opening tilt. Sam Houston now holds a 6-7 overall mark and stands 1-1 in league action.
Sam Houston's Paula Cerda and Sahithi Vutukuru fell 6-2 to Tiffany Nguyan and Juliana Romero in the No. 1 doubles. Flames No. 2 doubles Priscilla Janikan and Maria Turchetto defeated Bearkats Megan Basson and Roberta Sechi 6-1.
With the doubles point clinched, the number three doubles set was stopped with Marina Davtyan and Esther Lovato leading Bearkats Vianne Schwab and Linn Svaerd 5-4 in a tight contest.
The Flames three singles points came at the number one, three and five positions. Juliana Romero downed Sam Houston's Megan Basson 6-1, 6-0 at the top of the line-up. Daniella O'Neal won versus Sahithi Vutukuru 6-1, 6-1 at number three. Marina Davtyan def. Roberta Sechi at number five 6-1, 6-1.
Sam Houston's Linn Svaerd won the first set 6-4 in the No. 6 singles and was tied 2-all in the season set when play was halted after the match clincher. Cerda trailed 6-2, 1-2 at number two and Fenieys lost the first set 6-1 and was down 5-3 at the No. 4 position.
The Bearkats' visit to scenic Virginia closes Saturday with a non-conference dual match versus George Washington. Sam Houston returns home to play host to another CUSA foe when the Kats play host to Louisiana Tech on March 30.
Liberty University 4, Sam Houston 0
Mar 22, 2024 at Lynchburg, VA
Singles competition
1. Juliana Romero (LIB) def. Megan Basson (SHSU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Tiffany Nguyan (LIB) vs. Paula Cerda (SHSU) 6-2, 1-2, unfinished
3. Daniella O'Neal (LIB) def. Sahithi Vutukuru (SHSU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Esther Lovato (LIB) vs. India Fenieys (SHSU) 6-1, 5-3, unfinished
5. Marina Davtyan (LIB) def. Roberta Sechi (SHSU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Maria Turchetto (LIB) vs. Linn Svaerd (SHSU) 4-6, 2-2, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Tiffany Nguyan/Juliana Romero (LIB) def. Paula Cerda/Sahithi Vutukuru (SHSU) 6-2
2. Priscilla Janikan/Maria Turchetto (LIB) def. Megan Basson/Roberta Sechi (SHSU) 6-1
3. Marina Davtyan/Esther Lovato (LIB) vs. Vianne Schwab/Linn Svaerd (SHSU) 5-4, unfinished
Team Records: Sam Houston 6-7, 1-1 Liberty 9-5, 1-0
