RUSTON – Louisiana Tech got back into the win column on Friday, shutting out Kennesaw State by a score of 4-0 in conference action at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
 
Coming off a tough weekend that saw LA Tech (13-8, 3-0 CUSA) drop a pair of close matches in New Orleans, the Bulldogs responded in Ruston by winning the doubles point plus three singles wins to defeat KSU (5-7, 1-2 CUSA).
 
The duo of Ana Rodrigues and Zoie Epps got an early break in their doubles match against Ema Baraniakova and Sophia Unger and never looked back, winning 6-2 on court one.
 
On the other hand, the tandem of Nina Skoric and Mio Kozaki got behind 1-4 in their court three match versus Laura Nadaska and Sofia Madrid.  However, the Bulldog tandem reeled off five straight games to take the match 6-4 and clinch the opening point for LA Tech.
 
Epps gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead, continuing her dominant spring with an overpowering 6-1, 6-2 victory against Madrid at the No. 2 spot.  A couple of minutes later, Kozaki made it a 3-0 advantage for LA Tech.  The junior was down 2-3 in the first set and then rattled off 10 straight games to be victorious versus Nadaska 6-3, 6-0 at the No. 5 position.
 
The remaining four courts were all close battles, but it was June Vigneron that provided the clincher.  After her opponent Terezia Baraniakova force a third set, the freshman got out to a 4-0 lead and eventually closed it out 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 at the No. 6 spot.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amy Sargeant
 
On the win …
"It was a great response today by our team after our tough loss against Tulane last week.  We got off to a quick 3-0 lead playing clean, composed, and competitive tennis.  Our doubles teams are holding their own and playing on their terms.  I am proud of our group on finding a way to get the win and we look forward to our last home stretch."
 
On June closing out the match …
"June learned from her match last week and found a way in the third set by tapping into the Bulldog mentality that we preach every day. 
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series versus Kennesaw State, 2-0.  The Bulldogs became just the second team this season to shutout the Owls.
• LA Tech improved to 8-1 at home this season.
• LA Tech claimed the doubles point for the 15th time this season.
• Ana Rodrigues and Zoie Epps teamed up to win their 13th doubles match of the season and their fourth straight.  For Rodrigues, it was her 48th career dual doubles victory, the third most in program history.
• Mio Kozaki and Nina Skoric teamed up for their fourth straight win.
• Zoie Epps improved to 19-2 on the spring.  The 19 victories is tied for the second most in a single season in program history.  The sophomore, who has won eight in a row, has won all 19 matches via straight sets.
• Mio Kozaki won her second straight singles match to improve to 5-5 on the spring.
• June Vigneron provided the clinching point for the first time this season.

UP NEXT
LA Tech returns to action on Friday, April 11 when the Bulldogs play a home doubleheader versus Liberty and Grambling State.  First serve is set for 11 a.m. CT at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
 
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