March 3, 2007

Final Stats

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Houston tennis team notched an impressive 7-0 victory over Memphis in cold and windy conditions Friday afternoon on the Rhodes College campus.

It was the Cougars (9-3) first match this season outside the Lone Star State.

"I was pleased that our team stuck to the gameplan and played high percentage tennis in strong winds," head coach John Severance said. "It was good to get a road win and a Conference USA win."

Houston took control of the match early in doubles action as Sonja Nikolic and Anna Djananova came away with an 8-2 victory in the No. 2 doubles position. The pairs of Loli Gomez and Leila Salek along with Vicky Simpson and Neila Starratt also picked up a pair of 8-4 wins.

Salek continued her dominant play with a 6-0, 6-1 victory in the No. 2 hole. In her last three victories, the United Kingdom native has dropped only five games.

Simpson won a 6-2, 6-1 decision at the No. 5 position to put the Cougars ahead 3-0.

Djananova clinched the win with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at the No. 4 spot, while Starratt claimed a 6-1, 6-1 win at the bottom of the lineup.

Gomez and Nikolic finished the shutout with 6-1, 6-4 and 6-2, 6-3 victories, respectively.

"It was a total team effort for us," Severance said. "Our team took care of business and were very vocal in supporting each other on the courts."

Houston concludes the weekend in Memphis with another C-USA tilt scheduled with Southern Miss. First serve against the Golden Eagles is set for 10am.

"Southern Miss is much-improved and better than the team we saw last season," Severance said. "I expect a dog fight."