Louisiana Women’s Tennis Drops 5-2 Decision To Louisiana Tech

LAFAYETTE, La. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns women's tennis team dropped its fourth straight match on Saturday falling to Louisiana Tech 5-2 at Cajun Courts.

The Bulldogs (12-2) grabbed the doubles point despite a win on court one by the duo of Nelo Phiri and Nicole Breaux against Marta Sramkova and Alexandra Starkova, 8-4.

Jazmin Britos and Melanie Urvoy clinched the point for the Bulldogs defeating Julie Cremers and Alexandra Way at the No. 2 position, 8-6.

"Louisiana Tech has tremendous depth and strength, but that doesn't make up for the missed opportunities in today's match," head coach Greg Harkins said. "The doubles point was on our racket and we let it slip away. The match was still undecided after three hours and 30 minutes, and we are learning that and it doesn't take much to turn the tide. We have to be mentally focused during those pressure moments that decide the outcome."

In singles, Louisiana Tech clinched the match winning on courts one, four and five to take a 4-0 advantage. Starkova earned the deciding point for the Bulldogs defeating Nelo Phiri at the No. 1 position, 6-3, 7-6.

The Cajuns (5-11) picked up two points in the match with Breaux gutting out a three-set decision versus Sramkova on court two, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Melissa Burckhartt also had a singles win defeating Jazmin Britos at the No. 3 position, 6-7, 7-6, 1-0 (10-7).

"Breaux and Phiri continued their winning ways in doubles putting us in position to win the point," Harkins added. " Nicole Breaux and Melissa Burckhartt did a great job of staying mentally focused and coming back to win their matches after dropping first sets."

The Ragin' Cajuns are back in action on Tuesday at 3 p.m. as they host Alcorn State at Cajun Courts before going on the road for four straight matches.

"We are a young squad learning and working our way through the school of hard knocks," Harkins said. "I am impressed with the attitude of the team. They are positive and still looking for their beak through moment. We have another stretch of strong opponents through the end of March. Each battle is preparing us for the Sunbelt Conference Championships in April. We are eager to get back on the court for another opportunity versus Alcorn State on Tuesday."

Louisiana Tech 5, Louisiana 2

Singles competition
1. Alexandra Starkova (LT) def. Nelo Phiri (UL) 6-3, 7-6
2. Nicole Breaux (UL) def. Marta Sramkova (LT) 0-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. Melissa Burckhartt (UL) def. Jazmin Britos (LT) 6-7, 7-6, 10-7
4. Melanie Urvoy (LT) def. Julie Cremers (UL) 6-2, 6-2
5. Manoela Chiacchio (LT) def. Alexandra Way (UL) 6-3, 6-4
6. Taly Merker (LT) def. Juliette Clement (UL) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Nelo Phiri/Nicole Breaux (UL) def. Marta Sramkova/Alexandra Starkova (LT) 8-4
2. Jazmin Britos/Melanie Urvoy (LT) def. Julie Cremers/Alexandra Way (UL) 8-6
3. Taly Merker/Manoela Chiacchio (LT) def. Melissa Burckhartt/Juliette Clement (UL) 8-2

Match Notes:
Louisiana Tech 12-2
Louisiana 5-11
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,5,1,6,2,3)

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

Louisiana Women’s Tennis Drops 5-2 Decision To Louisiana Tech

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