Read more: WVU Tennis Defeats Houston To Snap Losing Streak
The West Virginia University Women’s Tennis Club ended their nine game losing streak Friday evening with a 4-3 victory over Houston. The win over the Cougars is West Virginia’s first victory in Big 12 competition this season, and their first victory since February 15th over Temple.
The match began with singles matches due to time constraints. The Cougars opened up the scoring in the No. 4 seed as West Virginia’s redshirt junior Maja Dodik was defeated by decisions of 6-3 and 6-1.
The Mountaineers fell behind 2-0 following a loss from senior Mille Haagensen in the No. 1 spot, Haagensen was defeated by decisions of 6-2 and 6-4.
Mountaineers Roar Back
Despite falling behind early, West Virginia quickly answered by winning back-to-back matches to tie the match. Graduate student Julie Bousseau won 7-6 (4), 6-4, while senior Michaela Kucharova prevailed to win by decisions 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
West Virginia Responds After Houston Retakes Lead
Houston was able to retake the lead when Sophie Schouten defeated West Virginia freshman Lyla Byers, 6-2,6-2. West Virginia freshman Laura Villanueva Morillo kept the Mountaineers’ hopes alive as she dominated Gabriela Cortes in the No. 6 seed match by decisions of 6-0, 6-2.
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Doubles Play
The thrilling match continued into doubles play with Houston winning in the No. 3 seed match 6-2. West Virginia answered with the pairing of Haagensen and Bousseau won by a 6-3 decision.
Kucharova and Villanueva Morillo Lead West Virginia To Victory
The doubles team consisting of Kucharova and Villanueva Morillo secured the victory for West Virginia with a 6-4 win, giving the Mountaineers a much needed victory and an end to their frustrating nine game losing streak.
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Doubles Results
- Mille Haagensen/Julie Bousseau (WVU) def. Sophia Schouten/Gabriela Cortes (UH), 6-3
- Michaela Kucharova/Laura Villanueva Morillo (WVU) def. Santa Strombacha/Iva Sepa (UH), 6-4
- Valeriia Krokhotina/Heta Nuutinen (UH) def. Lyla Byers/Maja Dodik (WVU), 6-2
Singles Results
- Santa Strombacha (UH) def. Mille Haagensen (WVU), 6-2, 6-4
- Julie Bousseau (WVU) def. Iva Sepa (UH), 7-6 (4), 6-4
- Michaela Kucharova (WVU) def. Heta Nuutinen (UH), 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
- Valeriia Krokhotina (UH) def. Maja Dodik (WVU), 6-3, 6-1
- Sophia Schouten (UH) def. Lyla Byers (WVU), 6-2, 6-2
- Laura Villanueva Morillo (WVU) def. Gabriela Cortes, 6-0, 6-2
West Virginia Vs UCF Preview
West Virginia looks to build off their victory over Houston and secure another victory on Sunday, as the Mountaineers will face their toughest opponent of the season when they travel to Orlando to face the UCF Knights at 11 a.m. UCF is ranked No. 19 in the nation and sit at the top of the Big 12 Conference with an overall record of 16-2 and a conference record of 8-1.
The Knights are 1-2 in their last two matchups as they were defeated by Texas Tech 4-1 on March 23rd. Following the loss to Texas Tech, the Knights traveled to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats where UCF was victorious with a 4-1 decision. With West Virginia’s victory over the Houston Cougars, the Mountaineers now sit in the No. 15 spot (Houston last place at No. 16) in the Big 12 Conference with an overall record of 7-13 and a conference record of 1-8. Watch matchup here. View live stats here
