Tennis

Cougars approach school record with big weekend

The No. 39 UH tennis team matched the school’s record by earning their 13th consecutive victory on Saturday, defeating No. 29 Dartmouth 5-2 and sweeping Tyler Junior College 6-0 in back-to-back games.

“We gave a great effort against an outstanding Dartmouth team and then showed tremendous physical and mental toughness to take care of business efficiently against Tyler Junior College,” said head coach Patrick Sullivan in a news release.

“It’s always a bit of a risk to schedule two matches in a day, but this is an incredibly resilient team that is always ready to play no matter the circumstances.”

The victory over Dartmouth was the Cougars’ eighth win against a nationally-ranked opponent, adding to their existing single-season program best.

Senior Elena Kordolaimi, currently ranked No. 118 nationally, earned her 44th career dual match victory as a Cougar when she defeated Katherine Yau, 6-2, 6-3, in the second flight. The victory gives her possession of the 10th all-time in the UH record books.

With one more win away from a new school record, Houston elected to start with singles play against Tyler (6-6). The Cougars won in straight sets on all six courts, and the teams did not move on to doubles. The Cougars remained in complete control on every court as Markovic and Kordolaimi finished off victories to clinch it for Houston. Markovic won court four, 6-0, 6-1, over Katie Delgado, and Kordolaimi knocked off Elizabeth Bagerbash in the second flight, 6-1, 6-2.

“This team has grown up as the season has progressed and understands that the best rewards are always hard-earned,” said Sullivan in a news release. “It makes me proud as a coach to see them embrace that philosophy, and it also gives me confidence going into the postseason that we are definitely up to the task.”

The Cougars return to American Athletic Conference competition and look to set a new school record on Friday, April 3, against Tulsa. A win would give Houston the first 14-match winning streak in school history.

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