DENTON, Texas – Louisiana Tech saw its 2021 season come to an end in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament, falling to 50th-ranked Charlotte by a score of 4-0 on Thursday afternoon at the Waranch Tennis Center.
 
Playing its first nationally ranked opponent of the season, LA Tech (9-11) knew it was going to be a challenge going into the match that ended up getting delayed 45 minutes due to the match before going long. 
 
The Lady Techsters came out aggressive though early on in doubles as all three courts were within a game through five games.  However, Charlotte (21-6) pulled away to grab the opening point and then got three points from the top of the singles lineup to prevail and advance to the quarterfinals. 
 
"I felt like we battled hard today," said head coach Amanda Stone.  "Charlotte is definitely a top-notch team and it was a good opportunity for us to see how we measure against a top conference opponent. 
 
"We were able to stay with them early in the match in both doubles and singles, but ultimately the better players won today.  I am proud of how our team came out unafraid and gave it their all."
 
Ilana Tetruashvili and Leonie Schuknecht had the big task of facing the 49ers duo of Rexi Schech and Kaavya Sawhney who came into the match with daunting 18-4 record.  They stood tall in the early going on court one, splitting the first four games before Charlotte won four of the next five. 
 
They coupled that with the clinching match on court two Jenna Dean and Margaux Maquet made a similar run against Anastasiia Salenko and Madalena Amil, winning four straight games to seal it.
 
The story was similar in singles as LA Tech got off to quality starts.  Salenko got up 3-2 on her opponent Maquet at the No. 2 position, Alexia Romero pounced early to take a 4-1 lead over Sawhney at No. 4 and Claudia Oravcova was tied up at 2-2 versus Dean at No. 5. 
 
The 49ers snatched momentum on almost every court after that, claiming the first set on five of the six singles matches.   
 
The lone set they did not get was on court four.  Romero got up 5-2 in the set, but her opponent won four straight games to get ahead.  The LA Tech sophomore settled back in, breaking the game streak to force a tiebreaker where she fought off two set points to win it, 10-8.
 
Not long after the marathon match finished the first set, Charlotte started tacking on points.  83rd-ranked Schech registered the first singles point at the top position.  Soon thereafter, Maquet got the third point at No. 2 and the clincher came from Rocio Safont at No. 3.  
 
"Over the course of the season, we really improved and developed toughness," said Stone.  "With the core of our team returning, I think we have the right components to start closing the gap next year."
 
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