RUSTON – Louisiana Tech had a strong showing in its return to the home courts, cruising past New Orleans by a final score of 6-1 on a sunny Wednesday afternoon at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
 
The tone was set from the beginning for LA Tech (15-2), claiming the opening doubles point yet again.  This one was thanks to Ilana Tetruashvili and Najah Dawson winning 6-1 on court two, snapping the eight-match winning streak of UNO's Estelle Vantheir and Ank Vullings.
 
Then on court three, Alexia Romero and Olga Bienzobas regrouped after losing two straight games up 5-2 to win 6-4 over previously unbeaten Mar Gendra and Lea Alguacil.
 
The team came into the match undefeated this season when winning the doubles point.  And that streak continued as LA Tech won five of the six singles matches over defending Southland Conference champion UNO (8-4).
 
The second point of the day came from Leonie Schuknecht who delivered a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Vullings at the No. 1 position.  About a minute later, the third point came from the No. 4 spot where Tetruashvili won her sixth straight singles match, besting Salma Abderrahim by a score of 6-2, 6-4.
 
The clincher came from court three as Dawson, who had sat out the last two matches in singles, prevailed 6-4, 6-1 versus Vanthier for her fourth straight victory.
 
LA Tech grabbed two more points on the back courts as Tiffani Nash outdueled Gendra 6-3, 6-4 on court five and Alexia Romero outlasted Alguacil in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. 
 
The Privateers claimed their lone point in a straight-sets win on court two. 
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amanda Stone
 
"This was a really big win today for the program.  This UNO team won its conference last season and came into this match with a solid lineup throughout.  Even though it was not a 4-3 decision, I think the doubles point was huge for us again today.  This team has been very successful in doubles and for us to come out strong and get that first today was a big statement.  I am really proud of our singles lines that quickly reeled off the next three points.  I love how our team is competing and how they are continuing to push and produce great results."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech snapped a two-game losing streak to New Orleans.
• LA Tech claimed its 15th victory of the spring, which is tied for the fourth most wins in program history (most since 2016).
• LA Tech extended its program record winning streaks – 13 straight wins and 11 straight home wins.
• LA Tech has won the doubles point in 13 of its 17 matches, improving to a perfect 13-0 when winning the doubles point.
• Ilana Tetruashvili and Najah Dawson teamed up for their seventh straight doubles win.They now have a team-best 12 victories on the spring.
• All three doubles pairings now have double-digit wins this season.
• Ilana Tetruashvili extended her singles winning streak to six.She now has a team-best 13-3 singles record.
• Najah Dawson has won eight of her last nine singles matches (including four straight), improving to 11-3 on the season.

UP NEXT
LA Tech is back in action on Saturday, March 19 at home against West Alabama.  First serve is set for 2:30 p.m. at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.  It will also be Kids Day as kids 12 and under will have a chance to play with the team following the match.  The event is free.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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