NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans women's tennis team opened the 2010 spring slate with a 5-2 win over Southern at the University Tennis Center on Sunday afternoon.
Playing with just five players as Kozue Matsumoto was unavailable, UNO (1-0) started the dual in the predicament of having to put on an impressive showing to claim the day's team result. Head coach Burzis Kanga's squad did just that by winning 4 of 5 singles' matches and claiming both doubles' matches.
The Privateers started the day by sweeping the doubles' matches against SU (0-1).
Cassandra Escobar partnered with Kristina Martic for the first time in a 8-5 victory over Kathryn Curtis and Megan Wiltz at No. 1 with Ceara Howey and Amber Garza teaming for an 8-6 victory against Jo'Vonna Gaines and Carlita Mohammed on the No. 2 court.
As play turned to singles, the matches did not come easy for UNO.
Outside of a 6-0, 6-3 win by Garza at No. 4 over Curtis, the other Privateer wins came in three sets.
Martic won at No. 2 singles' by a 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 result over Janelle Mosley with Sofija Karalic clinching the dual by boucning back from a set down to defeat Gaines 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 in the No. 5 position. Escobar closed out the day for the Privateers by winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 over Wiltz at No. 1.
"Conditioning was huge in today's outcome," said Kanga. "I told our team after the match that conditionign made the difference. We went into the match realizing that we had to play the third set like the first."
The lone loss came at No. 3 where Howey fell in straight sets to Mohammed 6-4, 6-4.
"Southern was very much an improved team from what we saw last year in Baton Rouge and I have no doubt they will compete for the SWAC championship this year," said Kanga. "We now have to go back to work on Tuesday to get ready for next weekend's matches."
The Privateer women will face Jackson State on the road this Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. before returning home for a Monday afternoon dual against Southeastern La. at 2 p.m.
University of New Orleans 5, Southern University 2
Jan 31, 2010 at New Orleans, La. (University Tennis Ctr)
Singles competition
1. Cassandra Escobar (UNOW) def. Megan Wiltz (SU) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
2. Kristina Martic (UNOW) def. Janelle Mosley (SU) 6-0, 4-6, 6-2
3. Carlista Mohammed (SU) def. Ceara Howey (UNOW) 6-4, 6-4
4. Amber Garza (UNOW) def. Kathryn Curtis (SU) 6-0, 6-3
5. Sofija Karalic (UNOW) def. Jo'Vonna Gaines (SU) 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-3
6. Demetria Woods (SU) def. No player (UNOW), by walkover
Doubles competition
1. Cassandra Escobar/Kristina Martic (UNOW) def. Kathryn Curtis/Megan Wiltz (SU) 8-5
2. Ceara Howey/Amber Garza (UNOW) def. Jo'Vonna Gaines/Carlista Mohammed (SU) 8-6
3. Janelle Mosley/Demetria Woods (SU) def. No player/No player (UNOW), by walkover
Match Notes
Southern University 0-1
University of New Orleans 1-0
