Women's Tennis Returns Home, Sweeps Grambling

BOX SCORE

NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans women's tennis team (9-4) returned home and dominated singles in a 7-0 win over the Grambling Tigers (0-13) on Monday afternoon at the University Tennis Center.
 
It was a tough start in doubles as Grambling hung in at the top two spots. Anja Luethi returned to action and was alongside her normal partner, Trang Dao. The two fell behind 2-0 early and were trailing 4-3 when they mounted a rally, winning the next three games to take the match and seal the doubles point. That was after Yasmine Rashad and Hafsa Laraibi coasted to a 6-0 win at No. 3 doubles.
 
"Like I told them, let's turn the tide," said Coach Burzis Kanga. "This was good for our confidence and we needed it ahead of the Missouri match. These are the kinds of matches that prepare us and that we should thrive on playing."
 
After earning the doubles point, UNO turned up the heat in singles. No player lost more than four games in any of the six singles matches. Two players (Anna Segarra Rius and Laraibi) each recorded 6-0, 6-0 victories.
 
In Luethi's first singles match since returning, she took a 6-1, 6-1 decision at No. 2 singles. Dao, Brittany Johnson, and Yasmine Rashad also registered singles wins. "I think we just need a full recovery," said Kanga. "I don't believe we're 100 percent, but we're close and we have a busy week ahead of us. As long as the girls have the right mindset then we'll be fine."
 
The Privateers will take on an SEC opponent in Missouri at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
 
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