RUSTON – Louisiana Tech needed just two hours to shutout Sam Houston, 4-0, on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the LA Tech Tennis Complex, completing a conference weekend sweep.
 
LA Tech (12-6, 2-0 CUSA) started the day by winning the doubles point and then tacked on three straight-set victories in singles from the top of the lineup to down Sam Houston (4-7, 0-3 CUSA) for a third straight time.
 
Ana Rodrigues and Zoie Epps teamed up for their 10th dual doubles win, claiming a 6-2 victory on court one.  Meanwhile, Mio Kozaki and Nina Skoric found themselves down 0-4 before reeling off six straight games to clinch the doubles point for LA Tech with a 6-4 victory. 
 
Rodrigues, Epps, and Skoric would also provide points in dual singles.  Epps had the first finish, cruising to a 6-1, 6-0 win over Christine Jevicky at the No. 2 spot for her team-leading 16th victory of the spring.  The 16 wins now ranks tied for the eighth most in a single season in program history.
 
Her doubles teammate, Rodrigues, was just as dominant.  A day after needing a long three-setter to clinch the win over New Mexico State, the senior captain overpowered Nayuma Subba 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 1 position.
 
Providing the clincher was Skoric who was back in the singles lineup and delivered a 6-2, 6-4 win against Sara Sadadinovic at the No. 3 spot. 
 
When play was stopped, both Kozaki and June Vigneron were up a set on courts four and six, respectively.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amy Sargeant
 
On the win …
"It was a great weekend and a solid back-to-back performance for LA Tech Tennis.  I was impressed with Ana and Zoie for closing out a very good doubles point with confident and dominant tennis.  Nina and Mio found themselves 0-4 down before finding a way to win six games in a row.  When they play aggressive, assertive and with fire in their feet, they are unstoppable.  They are a dynamic duo who can win a lot of doubles points and make a mark for the program."
 
On the top of the singles lineup …
"Zoie, Ana, and Nina all stepped up in singles playing confident from start to finish.  We are always looking to find ways to improve and grow into fierce competitors."    
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series versus Sam Houston, 13-12.  The Bulldogs have won three straight over the Bearkats and the second straight via shutout.
• LA Tech improved to 11-0 this season when winning the doubles point.
• LA Tech improved to 7-1 on the season and 95-32 all-time at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
• For the third time this season, the Bulldogs won at the top three singles line.
• Ana Rodrigues played her 77th career dual doubles match, fifth most in program history.  She improved to 45-32 with her 45th win today ranking fourth in program history.
• Ana Rodrigues and Zoie Epps teamed up for their 10th dual doubles win this spring.
• Ana Rodrigues won her seventh consecutive dual singles match, the longest of her Bulldog career.  She improved to 10-4 this spring at the No. 1 position.
• Zoie Epps won her team-leading 16th dual singles match, improving to 16-2 (14-2 at No. 2 and 2-0 at No. 3) this spring.  Her 16 wins, all in straight sets, is tied for the eighth most in a single season in program history. 
• Nina Skoric provided the clinching point in singles for the second time this season.  In doing so, she snapped her five-game losing streak. 

UP NEXT
LA Tech heads south to New Orleans for a neutral site match against nationally ranked Memphis on Friday, March 28 at City Park Tennis Center.
 
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