RUSTON – Marla Watson recorded 22 singles wins way back in the spring of 1982. 
 
That mark would stand the test of time.  That was until Sunday when Zoie Epps won both of her singles matches to reach 23 for the season, breaking the 43-year-old record while helping Louisiana Tech secure victories over UTEP and Grambling State at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
 
LA Tech (17-8, 5-0 CUSA) capped off the regular season, going undefeated against Conference USA competition with a 4-1 win against UTEP (9-8, 1-5 CUSA).  That was then followed by a 6-0 shutout over Grambling State (2-15), giving the Bulldogs a 12-1 mark at home for 2025.
 
MATCH ONE
After a slow start to doubles, the 'Dogs ended up grabbing the opening point with some strong finishes.  The duo of Alice Brook and Maria Tsironi were tied 2-all against Vale Carreno Torres and Carlotta Mencaglia at the No. 2 position, but the Bulldogs got the upper hand by claiming three straight games to ultimately won 6-3.
 
Meanwhile at the No. 1 spot, the LA Tech tandem of Ana Rodrigues and Zoie Epps were down 2-4 to UTEP's duo of DeCora Antoine and Hanna Telzynska.  The Bulldog pairing would kick things into another gear, rattling off four straight games to win 6-4. 
 
Epps needed just one hour to give LA Tech a 2-0 advantage as the sophomore breezed to a 6-2, 6-1 victory against Telzynska on court two, tallying singles win No. 22 to tie Watson's record. 
 
Her court neighbor, Mio Kozaki, gave the 'Dogs a commanding 3-0 lead after taking care of Paloma Hennicaux 6-2, 6-0 at the No. 4 position for her fifth consecutive victory. 
 
Finishing things off on the back bank was June Vigneron who cruised to a 6-0, 6-3 win over Wendy Zhang at No. 6 to clinch the match. Seconds later, the Miners posted their lone point of the match compliments of Torres who won in straight sets at the No. 5 position.
 
MATCH TWO
For the second time in three days, LA Tech shutout crosstown foe GSU.  Coupled with a default by the Lady Tigers at No. 3 in doubles, the Bulldogs claimed wins of 6-2 and 6-0 on courts one and two to open the match with a 1-0 lead.
 
The 'Dogs would then win handily on all five singles courts.  Nina Skoric and Brook were both up a set when their opponents retired due to injuries.  The clinching fourth point was then provided by Epps who won 6-0, 6-0 against Claire Machisa to claim the program record with her 23rd victory.
 
Tsironi and Vigneron capped off the day with victories of 6-1, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-3, respectively, on courts two and four.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amy Sargeant
 
"It was a great day to be a Bulldog and an even better way to close out the regular season with another conference win.  Our team has put in a tremendous amount of effort and hard work on our pursuit to being the best version of ourselves.  We are physically and mentally ready for the week ahead and I believe we are in a position to make a run at the conference tournament."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win over UTEP, LA Tech now leads the all-time series, 5-3.  The Bulldogs have won five straight over the Miners.
• With the win over Grambling State, LA Tech now leads the all-time series, 57-0.
• LA Tech improved to 17-8 on the dual season, tied for the fourth most wins in program history.
• The Bulldogs finished the regular season going a perfect 5-0 against Conference USA opponents.
• LA Tech won the doubles point for the 18th and 19th time this season.  The 19 doubles points won is the most in at least the last 15 years.
• LA Tech finished the regular season going 12-1 at home.  The 12 home victories are the second most in program history.
• With her 23rd victory, Zoie Epps set the program record for most dual singles wins in a single season, breaking the mark set by Marla Watson back in 1982.  The sophomore improved to 23-2 on the dual season and 35-4 overall.  She has won 12 straight, all by straight sets.
• Mio Kozaki won her fifth consecutive singles match.  The junior has not surrendered more than three games in all five victories.
• June Vigneron provided the clinching singles win for the third time this season, which came against UTEP.
• Epps and Rodrigues teamed up to defeat both the Miners and Lady Tigers, improving to 17-7 which is tied for the most dual doubles wins in a single season in program history.  The tandem has won eight straight.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will head to Lynchburg, Virginia to take part in the 2025 Conference USA Women's Tennis Championship hosted by Liberty University.  The event takes place April 16-19 with the official bracket set to be released on Monday.
 
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