March 26, 2008

Results

RUSTON, La. - Playing shorthanded the Louisiana Tech tennis squad was able to hold off Centenary 4-3 in a close match on Tuesday. The Lady Techsters battled down two players to get the win after a nine-day break from action.

With just four players making the trip for the match, the Techsters claimed both doubles matches to earn the point and won three of the singles matches to fend of the Ladies of Centenary.

"We couldn't afford to slip in this match playing with just four," Tech coach Quintin Yray said. "I'm very proud of how we fought to get this win."

Two players Yray pointed out were Ada Makowska and Rocio Juarez. The two each won their singles matches, but most importantly battled back in their doubles match to seal the doubles point.

Makowska and Juarez teamed up to take on Centenary's Gretchen Ashley and Kayleigh Sullivan. The Techsters trailed 7-4 and must avoid another loss to keep from giving Centenary the doubles point. Makowska and Juarez rallied to win five games in a row and win 9-7.

Yray said that match was crucial to the Techsters' victory because if Makowska and Juarez had lost that match Tech would have had to sweep the singles action to win. Tech's Carolina Pachon fell in her singles match 6-4, 6-1 to Ashley, meaning earning the doubles point ensured Tech's win.

Pachon's loss was the only one Tech suffered in the match not by default. Juarez claimed victory in the No. 1 singles match 6-1, 6-0 over Courtney Myers, and Makowska defeated Lindsay Ezell 6-3, 6-1 at the No. 2 position. Mallory Smith bested Sullivan 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 3 match. Tech lost the No. 5 and No. 6 matches by default. In doubles, Pachon and Smith teamed up to beat Jennifer Majchrowicz and Kate Buchannan.

Tech (3-14) will have another extended break from match play before taking on Harding on April 5 and Central Arkansas the following day on the road.