March 8, 2010
Box Score
RUSTON--The Louisiana Tech tennis team picked up two away wins over the weekend as they topped Alcorn State 6-1 and Jackson State 5-2.
"Even though we were down a player with Rocio Juarez out, I was very impressed with our team's performance Saturday against Alcorn St with everyone winning in straight sets," head coach Quintin Yray said. "Things went our way after we won a very close doubles match at the #2 position (9-7)."
Once the Techsters took the doubles point, momentum seemed to carry the team the rest of the way in their singles matches as all Techsters won their matches in straight sets with Alcorn State picking up one point due to default to make the final score 6-1 LA Tech.
Sunday's match vs. Jackson State proved to be a bit more difficult as the Techsters did not win the doubles point even after starting out strong going up 3-0 at the #2 doubles position.
"We made a few too many errors which cost us that match," Yray said. "We played unbelievably well at the #1 doubles position, winning 8-0, but still we were now down 2-0 going into singles."
"We had a lot of work ahead of us being down 2-0 but again the girls pulled through winning all their singles matches against a very good Jackson team," said Yray. "The crowd was a bit of a factor in the early going but in the end the girls just stayed mentally focused and played some very good tactical tennis."
Louisiana Tech found themselves in some desperate situations throughout their matches, but were able to pull through with a 5-2 win over Jackson State.
`I was really impressed with #3 (De wit),#4 (Erofeyeva) and #5 (Rodriguez)," said Yray. "They really showed how far they have come in their games. Even though we were down in all three matches by losing the first set, they all fought hard to come back in the second set and eventually the third set. Erofeyeva won her second set in a tie break but was down 5-2 in the third, but found the right strategy to win 5 games in a row and eventually seal away the victory. Rodriguez completely turned her match around with steady play and good hustle which eventually wore down her opponent on her way to a 6-2, 6-4 win."
Louisiana Tech will now prepare to take on Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday at the Lady Techster Tennis Complex beginning at 2 p.m. CT.
