RUSTON – Louisiana Tech trailed Murray State after dropping the doubles point, but the Lady Techsters responded with strong play in singles to win their sixth straight by a final score of 4-1 on Sunday morning at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
 
Ana Rodrigues and Leonie Schuknecht remained unstoppable in doubles, earning their eight straight victory with a 6-3 win on Court one over previously beaten Stasya Sharapova and Annika Pschorr. 
 
However, Murray State (4-4) prevailed with a 6-4 win on Court two and a 7-6 (4) win on Court three to take the early 1-0 advantage.
 
Trailing after doubles for just the third time this season, LA Tech (8-2) was not rattled as they jumped out to a set lead on all six singles courts.
 
The first point of the day came from the No. 1 position where Schuknecht put an end to her three-game losing skid in a big way by defeating Sharapova 6-0, 6-1.  The second point came from two courts over as Najah Dawson won her fourth straight at No. 3, this one a 6-2, 6-2 win over Sarah Bureau.
 
With a 2-1 advantage, the last two points to clinch the match came from the back courts.  Rodrigues cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win against Marit Kreugel at No. 5 and then Alexia Romero provided the clincher with a 6-2, 6-4 win versus Paola Campigotto. 
 
Ilana Tetruashvili was a couple of points away from winning on Court four and Olga Bienzobas was headed into a second-set tiebreaker when the matches were stopped.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amanda Stone
 
"We played really well today.  We proved that we can win without the doubles point and we should gain a lot of team confidence in that.  We really competed well on all the lines.  Our team is playing and sounding like a team that believes they can do big things.  It is really exciting to see.  We have our first conference test on Friday against Middle Tennessee.  We need to stay hungry and keep proving it on the court."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series over Murray State, 4-0.
• LA Tech remains unbeaten at home this season, extending its home winning streak to seven (fifth longest in program history).
• LA Tech improved to 8-2 on the spring, marking just the fifth time in program history the team has won at least eight of its first 10 matches.
• LA Tech extended its winning streak to six, its longest since 2019.
• For the first time this season, LA Tech won a match while not winning the doubles point.They were previously 0-2.
• Ana Rodrigues and Leonie Schuknecht improved to 9-1 in dual doubles.They have won eight straight, the third longest winning streak by a doubles team since 2010.
• Najah Dawson won her seventh singles match, tying for the team lead.She is a perfect 4-0 at the No. 3 position this season.
• Alexia Romero won her fourth straight singles match.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will play the first of five scheduled Conference USA matches on Friday, Feb. 25 when they host Middle Tennessee.  First serve is set for 11 a.m. at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in LA Tech Tennis, follow them on Twitter (@LATechTennis), Instagram (@LATechTennis) and Facebook (LATechTennis).