LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Sam Houston women's tennis team battled for almost three hours before falling to Jax State, 4-0, in the opening round of the 2025 Conference USA Women's Tennis Championships hosted by Liberty University.
"Everybody on this team were warriors today," Bearkat head coach Rob Hubbard said after the match. "We were the No. 10 seed against the No. 7 seed and these ladies fought so hard. We were tied at 4-all in all three doubles and we split sets in each of the singles matches that we didn't get to finish."
Sam Houston opened the contest with a strong performance in the doubles point. All three doubles duos were tied 4-all in their tight matches. But Jax State rallied to earn victories at the No. 1 and three position to go up 1-0 on the team scoreboard.
Christine Jevicky and Adithi Venkatakrishnan were on the edge of victory at 5-4 in the No. 2 doubles when play was stopped after Jax State wins at the Nos. 1 and 3 spots.
Lea Erenda and Pelina Ramnskaja edged Sam Houston's Aaliyah Hohmann and Nayuma Subba 6-4 at No. 1. Irene Artigas paired with Aneka Patel to top Bearkats Ella Fitcher and Jacqueline Schnabel 6-4 at number three.
JSU earned its ticket to the next round by winning the Nos. 1 and 4 singles in match play and a default in the No. 6 singles.
Sam Houston's Nayuma Subba took Anna Syrova to three sets before falling 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 at No. 1 singles. In the No. 2 singles the Kats' Christine Jevicky split sets with Lea Erena and was ahead 3-2 in the third when play was stopped. Ella Fitched won her first set at No. 5 singles 6-4.
"There are no seniors among this bunch. They are all coming back next year," Hubbard said. "Twice before in my time here at Sam Houston we've had teams without seniors and the next seasons with those freshmen back as sophomores joining with top newcomers became two of our best ever. The girls are ready to get start working for next year right now."
The Bearkats' CUSA first round tennis duel with Jax State was featured on ESPN+ network's national internet coverage of the first round of the tournament Wednesday.
Sam Houston vs Jax State
Conference USA Tournament Opening Round
Jax State 4, Sam Houston 0
Singles competition
1. Anna Syrova (JSU) def. Nayuma Subba (SHSU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
2. Lea Erenda (JSU) vs. Christine Jevicky (SHSU) 1-6, 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
3. Zuzana Pavelekova (JSU) vs. Adi Venkatakrishnan (SHSU) 5-7, 4-3, unfinished
4. Irene Artigas (JSU) def. Aaliyah Hohmann (SHSU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Pelina Ramnskaja (JSU) vs. Ella Fitcher (SHSU) 6-4, 3-6, 3-1, unfinished
6. Ella Toumala (JSU) def. No player (SHSU), by default
Doubles competition
1. Lea Erenda/Pelina Ramnskaja (JSU) def. Aaliyah Hohmann/Nayuma Subba (SHSU) 6-4
2. Zuzana Pavelekova/Anna Syrova (JSU) vs. Christine Jevicky/Adi Venkatakrishnan (SHSU) 5-4 unfinished
3. Irene Artigas/Aneka Patel (JSU) def. Ella Fitcher/Jacqueline Scnabel (SHSU) 6-4
