HOUSTON – The Rice Owls evened their season record at 6-6 with a 5-0 non-conference dual match victory over Sam Houston Tuesday afternoon. 

The Owls opened action winning at the one and two positions to take the doubles point. In singles Rice won in straight sets at the number one, three and six spots. The match was stopped once the overall team competition was complete. 

Sahithi Vutukuru took her opening set at number two singles versus Darya Schwartzman by a 6-2. Schwartzman was up 4-1 in the second set when play was discontinued. Paula Cerda, India Fenieys and Vianne Schwab lost in straight sets at the one, three and six spots. 

Rice earned the doubles point as Chie Kezuka and Federica Trevisan defeated Megan Basson and Paula Cerda 6-1 at number one and Saara Orav and Darya Schwartzman downed Vianne Schwab and Roberta Sechi 6-2 at number two.  Bearkats India Fenieys and Linn Svaerd trailed 4-5 Anushka Ashar and Divna Ratkovic 5-4 at number three. 

Sam Houston returns home to Huntsville to host two non-conference matches next week. The Bearkats meet Valparaiso Monday, March 11 at 12 noon and UTEP Wednesday at 11 a.m. 

Singles competition 
1. Federica Trevisan (RICE) def. Paula Cerda (SHSU) 6-1, 6-0 
2. Darya Schwartzman (RICE) vs. Sahithi Vutukuru (SHSU) 2-6, 4-1, unfinished 
3. Divna Ratkovic (RICE) def. India Fenieys (SHSU) 6-2, 6-0 
4. Chie Kezuka (RICE) vs. Roberta Sechi (SHSU) 6-2, 4-0, unfinished 
5. Saara Orav (RICE) vs. Linn Svaerd (SHSU) 6-1, 2-3, unfinished 
6. Nithesa Selvarai (RICE) def. Vianne Schwab (SHSU) 6-1, 6-1 

Doubles competition 
1. Chie Kezuka/Federica Trevisan (RICE) def. Megan Basson/Paula Cerda (SHSU) 6-1 
2. Saara Orav/Darya Schwartzman (RICE) def. Vianne Schwab/Roberta Sechi (SHSU) 6-2 
3. Anushka Ashar/Divna Ratkovic (RICE) vs. India Fenieys/Linn Svaerd (SHSU) 4-5, unfinished 
Team Records: Sam Houston 4-4, Rice 6-6