CARY, N.C. – Louisiana Tech's Olga Bienzobas and Alexia Romero created plenty of chances to close out games, but the doubles duo came up short in both matches played this past weekend at the ITA All-American Championships held at Cary Tennis Park.
 
Participating in the pre-qualifying round of the doubles bracket alongside some of the best tandems in all NCAA Division I women's tennis, Bienzobas/Romero held their own as the first ever participants at the prestigious tournament from LA Tech.
 
Their first opponent in the round of 32 was Oklahoma's Romana Cisovska and Emma Staker.  After going down 1-3, the Bulldogs broke serve and then held serve to get the match to 3-all.
 
The Sooners responded by winning three straight games, but LA Tech fought back again with consecutive games won, both won on put-away volleys by Romero, to get to 5-6.  However, OU closed out the final two games to take the match, 5-8, as the Bulldogs were on the losing end of four deuce points.
 
Bienzobas/Romero went into the consolation bracket, matching up with Belmont's Mariia Hlahola and Anastasiya Zholdakova.  The Bulldogs found themselves up, 4-2, but the Bruins won five straight games to take the upper hand.  After LA Tech fought off a pair of match points to get to 5-7, Belmont sealed it in the following game.   
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amy Sargeant
 
"As a program, we are experiencing a lot of firsts and with that comes a little adversity, a new challenge, and an opportunity to get better.  Olga and Alexia have already taken a huge step forward in their growth as players and teammates.  Being able to step up to the challenge and respond like a winner, regardless of the outcome, is a success. I am excited for them to keep stepping up, leading, and sharing their experience with their teammates."

UP NEXT
The entire LA Tech team will make the short trip to Baton Rouge to take part in the ITA Southern Regionals hosted by LSU. The event starts Thursday, Oct. 5.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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