TULSA, Okla. – It was a long Saturday for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs spent nine hours inside the Michael D. Case Tennis Center to open the 2026 campaign.
 
By the end of it all, LA Tech had clawed back to defeat Wyoming 4-3 for its first victory of the season while also tying host Tulsa 3-3 in the singles portion of the contest to have doubles decide the winner Sunday morning.
 
The first official victory of the season came from the doubles pairing of Mio Kozaki and Diana Starodubtseva.  The duo who teamed up at Hampton before making their way to LA Tech (1-0) won 6-4 on court three.  However, Wyoming (1-2) managed wins on courts one and two to claim the opening point.
 
With only three courts available, the match that started at 9 a.m. did not wrap up until five hours later, going the full distance. 
 
Zoie Epps was in sharp form as the junior Bulldog tallied the first dual singles win of the season for LA Tech, doing so in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 over Violetta Borodina. 
 
Courts two and three were a different story as Nina Skoric and Starodubtseva each won the second set to extend their matches.  Skoric would fall 6-0 in the third while Starodubtseva suffered a 7-5 loss in the final set, giving the Cowgirls a 3-1 advantage and one win away from clinching.
 
The bottom of LA Tech's singles lineup came up clutch match after match.  Maria Tsironi gave the Bulldogs their second point, outdueling Eugenia Ceinos 6-4, 6-1 on court four. 
 
Things looked their bleakest for the 'Dogs on court five as June Vigneron found herself down 6-3, 3-0 to Dilnaz Mashabayeva.  With the Cowgirls just three games away from victory, the sophomore reeled off six straight games to win the second set and force a third where she would complete the comeback with a 6-2 triumph.
 
The clinching point then came down to court six where the freshman Isabella Walker was not scared of the moment, disposing of Ruby Young 6-4, 6-2 to give the Bulldogs the 4-3 victory.
 
LA Tech immediately had to switch gears and face the home team in Tulsa who is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance.  The match played out much like the one against Wyoming with Epps being dominant and the bottom of the lineup showing tremendous fight.
 
Epps cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 victory versus Isabella Basson at the No. 1 spot to give LA Tech its first point.  However, Tulsa responded with straight set wins on courts two, three, and four to take the 3-1 advantage.
 
Vigneron and Walker would not be denied though.  On court five, Vigneron outlasted uta Asakura 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 on court five while Walker stayed steady by downing Lilitha Ndungane 6-3, 6-1 to even the match at 3-all.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amy Sargeant
 
"I am incredibly proud of how the team competed today.  Over the past 10 days, we have pushed ourselves learning to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and it showed.  Up and down the lineup, we played with grit, resilience, and relentless effort.  We stayed locked in and never let up.  We now must rest up, reset, and wake up ready to do it all over again tomorrow."
 
UP NEXT
LA Tech will battle Tulsa for the deciding point in doubles starting at 9 a.m. CT.  That will be followed by a full match against Southeast Missouri to close out the Hurricane Invite.
 
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources.  Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes.  Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.
 
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand.  You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents.  By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way.  Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today.  You bark.  We bark.  Louder together.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Tennis, follow us on X (@LATechTennis), Instagram (@LATechTennis), and Facebook (LATechTennis).