Feb. 9, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - Defeating their first ranked opponent of 2008, the Texas Tech women's tennis team found two home wins over North Texas and No. 68 Nevada this weekend at the McLeod Tennis Center. Tech returns to the road next weekend as they travel to Utah to face Boise State and BYU.

Tech kicked off the weekend in good fashion by beating North Texas 6-1 on Friday. The Lady Raiders took the early advantage winning in the No. 1 and 2 doubles positions. Continuing the momentum into singles, Tech won five straight singles matches. Sophomore Maria Jose Andres clinched the match for her team by battling back from a 4-1 deficit in the second set, winning 6-4, 6-4 over Amy Joubert.

Saturday's match proved challenging for the Lady Raiders as they played their second ranked opponent of the season. No. 68 Nevada got the early 1-0 lead by winning the doubles point in the No. 2 and 3 spots. Sophomore Kerryn Potgieter grasped her sixth singles win of the season at No. 5, putting Tech on the board. Lais Ogata was the next to strike, putting the Wolf Pack ahead 2-1 by defeating Andres, 6-4, 6-2.

Rookie hard-hitters Simone Templeton and Kelsy Garland continued their undefeated streak, notching in Tech's second and third points. With the score at 3-2, the Lady Raiders relied on veterans Janet Durham and Samantha van der Drift to put away the match. On the No. 1 singles court, No. 48 Maria Mizyuk took van der Drift to three sets before winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. With the fate of the match on the line, senior Durham stepped up for her team winning in three sets over Nevada's Florence Devrye, clinching the 4-3 win for the Lady Raiders.

"I am very proud of Janet and the way my team played today," said head coach Cari Groce. "Nevada and North Texas are definitely two very good teams. They really pushed us to play better this weekend and raise our game to a higher level."

Texas Tech - 6
North Texas - 1
Feb. 8, 2008
McLeod Tennis Center

Doubles: 1, 2*, 3
1. Garland/van der Drift (TTU) def. Joubert/Ranjanathan (UNT); 8-4
2. Durham/Potgieter (TTU) def. Cruz/Wilhelm (UNT); 8-2
3. Franca/Kazarova (UNT) def. Andres/Templeton (TTU); 8-4

Singles: 5, 4, 6*, 3, 2, 1
1. Madura Ranjanathan (UNT) def. Samantha van der Drift (TTU); 7-5, 3-6, 10-7
2. Kelsy Garland (TTU) def. Narine Kazarova (UNT); 4-6, 6-2, 10-6
3. Simone Templeton (TTU) def. Catalina Cruz (UNT); 6-3, 7-6(2)
4. Janet Durham (TTU) def. Rachel Wilhem (UNT); 6-3, 6-2
5. Kerryn Potgieter (TTU) def. Idalina Franca (UNT); 6-2, 6-2
6. Maria Jose Andres (TTU) def. Amy Joubert (UNT); 6-4, 6-4

Texas Tech - 4
No. 68 Nevada - 3
Feb. 9, 2008
McLeod Tennis Center

Doubles: 3, 2*, 1
1. Garland/van der Drift (TTU) def. #32 Dinh/Mizyuk (UNR); 8-3
2. Bailly/Tan (UNR) def. Durham/Potgieter (TTU; 8-4
3. De Vrye/Hall (UNR) def. Andres/Ballus (TTU); 8-0

Singles: 5, 6, 3, 2, 1, 4*
1. #48 Maria Mizyuk (UNR) def. Samantha van der Drift (TTU); 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Kelsy Garland (TTU) def. Caroline Bailly (UNR); 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
3. Simone Templeton (TTU) def. Alice Hall (UNR); 6-4, 6-3
4. Janet Durham (TTU) def. Florence De Vrye (UNR); 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
5. Kerryn Potgieter (TTU) def. Lyhuong Dinh (UNR); 6-1, 6-2
6. Lais Ogata (UNR) def. Maria Jose Andres (TTU); 6-4, 6-2