Rice Invitational results

HOUSTON - Junior Alexandra Starkova recorded multiple wins in singles and doubles this past weekend as Louisiana Tech competed at the Rice Invitational in Houston, Texas.

It was the second straight tournament for LA Tech in facing stiff competition against the likes of Rice, Houston, SMU, UT Arlington and McNeese State.

"We really had some solid wins over the weekend," head coach Chad Camper said. "UTA and McNeese have improved so having quality wins over them was good to see. Alexandra played really well in singles and doubles and has steadily become a leader for this team.

"We signed up for a tough fall schedule so we can put ourselves up against ranked opponents and improve in the process. Building the program and each player is a lot of hard work on everyone's part and this and the rest of the tournaments are just part of the puzzle to be the team we need to be by spring."

Starkova started out by defeating SMU's Vaszilisza Bulgakova, 6-2, 6-7, (10-3) who was ranked as high as No. 108 in ITA singles last season.

The Madrid, Spain native then fell in the semifinals to Rice's Savannah Durkin, the winner of flight one, in straight sets before outlasting UTA's Elizabeth Thoms in the consolation round, 6-2, 1-6, (10-7).

On the doubles side, she partnered with Jazmin Britos to notch two 8-3 victories in the consolation bracket over teams from McNeese State and UT Arlington.

Also recording multiple singles wins in the event was Marta Sramkova who bested Julia Kral from McNeese and Anna Kate Anderson, both in straight sets.

Next on the schedule for LA Tech is the Ragin' Cajun Fall Classic on Oct. 3-4 to be played in Lafayette at the Cajun Courts.

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