DENTON, Texas – Louisiana Tech proved it belongs on the big stage Friday, overpowering Florida Atlantic in a convincing 4-0 shutout victory in the Conference USA Women's Tennis Championship at the Waranch Tennis Complex.
 
With the win, LA Tech (20-5) advanced to the semifinals where it will face top-seeded and 38th-ranked FIU on Saturday at Noon on the campus of the University of North Texas.
 
On paper, it was fairly even matchup pitting the No. 4 seed Lady Techsters versus the No. 5-seed Owls.  But, matches are not played on paper and LA Tech proved that, grabbing the doubles point and then piling on singles victories on courts one, three, and four to sweep FAU (8-14).
 
Leonie Schuknecht and Ilana Tetruashvili set the tone early in dubs on court three, winning the first three games before winning it all at 6-1 over Katerina Filip and Lexi Silna.
 
Meanwhile the other two courts were exchanging games, but FAU's Carla Galmiche and Martina Kudelova pulled ahead by two games against Najah Dawson and Ana Rodrigues on court one.  The LA Tech duo turned it on though, claiming four straight games to clinch the opening point with a 6-4 win.
 
That emotional lift carried over into singles, particularly at the top of the lineup, where LA Tech snatched the first set handedly on courts one, two, three, and four.
 
And in the span of about five minutes, the Lady Techsters delivered point after point.  First, it was Dawson who spearheaded the singles victories by downing Victoria Gomez O'Hayon 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3.
 
Then came Schuknecht with the third point, winning a deciding deuce point on match point for a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Kudelova at the top spot.  Across the way, Tiffani Nash provided the clincher just moments later with a 6-1, 6-1 win versus Amber McGinnis at No. 4.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amanda Stone
 
"We came out on fire today.  From the start in doubles, we were hungry and played with intensity.  We talked about the importance of staying true to what has worked for us all year, especially on a stage like this where it is win or go home.  On paper, this was a very even match against an FAU team that traditionally makes the semis, but on the court today we got the momentum and did not let up.  A big time win for our program.  So proud for our team.  It has been a year of making history and we are going to see if we can make some more tomorrow."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series over Florida Atlantic, 2-1. This was the first time the two teams met up in the postseason.
• LA Tech collected its 20th victory of the season, the second most in program history.
• LA Tech advanced to the C-USA Tournament semifinals for the first time in program history.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will battle top-seeded FIU on Saturday at the Waranch Tennis Complex.  The semifinal matchup is set for Noon CT.
 
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