PADUCAH, Ky. – Louisiana Tech went up to Paducah, Kentucky for three neutral site matches and came away with three impressive wins, capped off by a 5-1 victory over Murray State on Saturday afternoon at the Paul Rowton Indoor Tennis Center.
 
After shutout victories over Austin Peay and defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Southeast Missouri, LA Tech (6-2) did not let off the gas in taking down the defending Missouri Valley Champion Murray State (1-3).
 
The Bulldogs managed to grab the all-important doubles point thanks to the duos of Ana Rodrigues/Zoie Epps and Maria Tsironi/Alice Brook. 
 
Rodrigues and Epps came quick work on court one, winning 6-1.  Following the Racers 6-1 win of their own on court three, the opening point came down to court two where Tsironi and Brook prevailed, 6-4.
 
Murray State would tie the team match up at 1-1 though with a straight sets win at the No. 1 position in singles.   But it was all LA Tech after that. 
 
It was Epps that got the winning started in singles for the Bulldogs.  The sophomore kept her unbeaten streak alive this spring, downing Varya Alexeyeva by a score of 6-1, 7-5 at the No. 2 spot.
 
Giving LA Tech its third point was Alice Brook.  The freshman had another stellar performance, winning her fourth straight which was a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Yuna Kadowaki at No. 6.
 
Then came the clincher provided by Nina Skoric who bested Yu Kikawa at No. 4 by a score of 6-1, 7-6 (6).  Tsironi tacked on another point for the Bulldogs with a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win against Bruna Melato at the No. 3 position.
 
The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to five matches thanks to the three dominant victories in Paducah, a place where they won 12 of the 13 singles matches and seven of the nine doubles matches (won 30 of the 36 completed sets).
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amy Sargeant
 
"What a great week of tennis.  I was super proud of the team who stepped up.  We put our heads down and focused on being a great competitor, bringing a great attitude, and giving your best effort.  It showed up and down the lineup."
 
"Three doubles points in a row carried that moment over this week.  The biggest lesson we learned throughout this week was that fierce tennis wins.  We have to stay tough in tough moments.  I am extremely proud of everyone up and down the line." 
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series versus Murray State, 5-0.
• The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to five matches.  It marks the third time in the last four seasons LA Tech has had a winning streak of at least five matches.
• LA Tech improved to 27-13 in dual singles and 15-7 in dual doubles.
• The Bulldogs are a perfect 6-0 this season when winning the doubles point.
• Zoie Epps improved to 8-0 on the spring season, having yet to drop a set.  It is tied for the fourth-best start to a dual season in the last 15 years.
• The duo of Ana Rodrigues and Zoie Epps went a perfect 3-0 at No. 1 doubles this week.  They have now won four straight.
• Ana Rodrigues won her 40th career dual doubles match, tied for the ninth most in program history.
• Nina Skoric provided the clinching point for the first time this season.
• Freshmen Alice Brook and Maria Tsironi each won their fifth dual singles match of the spring. 

UP NEXT
LA Tech will begin a four-game home stand on Saturday, Feb. 8 versus North Texas.  First serve is set for 11 a.m. CT at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
 
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