TULSA, Okla. – Louisiana Tech got off to a strong start at the Hurricane Invite, defeating Wyoming by a final score of 4-3 on Saturday morning at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.
 
LA Tech (1-0) was able to open the spring slate with a victory by grabbing the doubles and then taking singles victories on courts one, four and five.
 
Two brand new doubles pairs got it done for the Lady Techsters to go up a point in the match.  Najah Dawson and Ilana Tetruashvili teamed up to win, 6-2, on court two.  Leonie Schuknecht and Ana Rodrigues followed suit with a 6-4 victory on court one.
 
Wyoming (0-1), who had a No. 6 ranking in the final ITA Mountain Region poll and had a top-three finish in the Mountain West Conference last season, tied things up at the start of singles with a victory on court two. 
 
The sophomore Schuknecht, still holding serve at the top singles position for LA Tech, made quick work of her opponent on court one with a 6-2, 6-2 win. 
 
The Lady Techsters pulled ahead 3-1 when Tetruashvili put together a 6-2, 6-3 victory on court five.  The Cowgirls responded with a win on court three, but the newcomer Dawson clinched the match at the No. 4 position with a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amanda Stone
 
"The team is so happy with the win today over Wyoming and they deserve to be because it was truly a team effort.  We came out ready in doubles and in singles and played with a lot of confidence and belief.  I am extremely proud of them.  This is a big step for our program.  Wyoming is a top team and the match today showed we have the ability to play and win at that level.  It feels really good to see the hard work pay off.  We have to go out tomorrow and finish the weekend strong, but this was a great way to start the season."

RESULTS
Singles
1. Leonie Schuknecht (TECH) def. Maria Oreshkina (WYO) 6-2, 6-2
2. Ida Krause (WYO) def. Olga Bienzobas (TECH) 6-0, 7-6
3. Noesjka Brink (WYO) def. Ana Rodrigues (TECH) 6-2, 6-7, 6-4
4. Najah Dawson (TECH) def. Ana Fernandez (WYO) 6-4, 6-3
5. Ilana Tetruashvili (TECH) def. Alyse Cormier (WYO) 6-2, 6-3
6. Mihaela Kaftanova (WYO) def. Alexia Romero (TECH) 6-1, 7-6
Doubles
1. Leonie Schuknecht/Ana Rodrigues (TECH) def. Maria Oreshkina/Ida Krause (WYO) 6-4
2. Najah Dawson/Ilana Tetruashvili (TECH) def. Ana Fernandez/Lucia Malinak (WYO) 6-2
3. Noesjka Brink/Mihaela Kaftanova (WYO) def. Olga Bienzobas/Alexia Romero (TECH) 6-2
 
NOTABLES

• LA Tech picked up its first ever win over Wyoming.The Lady Techsters had lost to the Cowgirls each of the last three seasons at the Hurricane Invite.
• LA Tech was 1-8 in doubles matches against Wyoming.The Lady Techsters won two out of three today to grab the doubles point.
• Ilana Tetruashvili played her first ever dual match in singles at the No. 5 position.It was her team-leading 26th career victory in dual singles.

 
UP NEXT
LA Tech will conclude its match with host Tulsa at 9 a.m.  Then at approximately 10 a.m., the Lady Techsters will face off against Montana State in the third and final match of the Hurricane Invite.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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