JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Louisiana Tech extended its winning streak to five matches on Sunday, defeating conference foe Jacksonville State, 4-1, at the Jax State Tennis Courts.
 
After dropping the doubles point, LA Tech (8-2, 1-0 CUSA) responded in singles in a big way, claiming four courts to secure the win. Three of those points came from the top of the lineup.
 
Alice Brook and Maria Tsironi picked up the first victory of the day, winning 6-4 on court two to put the Bulldogs one step closer to snagging the opening point.
 
Jax State (5-4, 0-1 CUSA), who entered the day having won two straight and held a 2-0 edge over LA Tech in the all-time series, would counter with victories on courts one and three to go up 1-0 in the team match.
 
Having won two matches already this season after getting behind going into singles, the Bulldogs did not panic.  Zoie Epps got the momentum swinging in LA Tech's direction, overpowering Polina Ramenskaja 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 1 spot.
 
June Vigneron followed with a dominant performance of her own, rebounding from a loss yesterday at UAB to defeat Irene Artigas 6-2, 6-2 at the No.5 position.
 
The remaining four courts would go three sets.  Nina Skoric tacked on a gritty three-set win on court two, outlasting Aneka Patel 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.  Then clinching the match for the 'Dogs was Diana Starodubtseva who added a three-set triumph on court three, besting Angeles Rodriguez-Rizo 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amy Sargeant
 
"We just keep finding ways to win and that says everything about who we are.  Doubles was not our sharpest start.  We came out a step slow, and Jax State made us pay for it.  Heading into singles, we had one simple reminder: play LA Tech Tennis.  We wanted to be aggressive, dictate points, and trust our identity.  On four of six courts, that is exactly what we did.  We set the tone, we completed with purpose, and we flipped the momentum."
 
"Issy and Mariza battling through split sets on four and six embodied our fight.  When we needed that final push, they leaned in, and we crossed the finish line together with Nina and Diana battling to win in three sets.  It was not our prettiest tennis, but it was some of our strong resilience.  Some of our toughest grit.  And that is what wins matches.  I am proud of this group.  We are building something bigger than just score lines – we are building competitors."
 
NOTABLES

• LA Tech picked up its first ever win over Jax State.  The Bulldogs had lost the previous two meetings to the Gamecocks.
• LA Tech improved to 8-2 on the spring season.  It is tied for the second-best start through the first 10 matches in program history (second consecutive season with an 8-2 start).
• LA Tech has won four straight true road matches, tied for the third longest streak in program history.
• The Bulldogs won their third match of the spring when dropping the doubles point.
• LA Tech improved to 36-17 in dual singles.  The Bulldogs are 22-4 during their five-match winning streak.
• Zoie Epps won her 44th career dual singles match, tied for the 10th most in program history.  The junior is 8-1 on the spring (all via straight sets), having won five straight. 
• Maria Tsironi and Alice Brook teamed up for their team-leading sixth dual doubles win.  The duo has won 18 matches together over the last two seasons.
• Diana Starodubtseva provided the clinching point for the second time this spring.
• Nina Skoric won her 10th career dual singles match as a Bulldog.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will close out its three-match road swing on Wednesday, March 4 at Middle Tennessee.  First serve for the conference matchup will be 11 a.m. CT.
 
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