RUSTON – Louisiana Tech heads to the Lone Star State this weekend for a pair of road matches against Sam Houston and No. 54 Rice.
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Match One: LA Tech at Sam Houston
Date/Time: Saturday, March 21 | 11 a.m. CT
Location: Chuck & Wanda Beckner Tennis Center (Huntsville, Texas)
Live Stream: N/A
Live Stats: N/A
 
Match Two: LA Tech at No. 54 Rice
Date/Time: Sunday, March 22 | 11 a.m. CT
Location: George R. Brown Tennis Center (Houston, Texas)
Live Stream: LATechSports.com/TennisStream
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/TennisStats
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (11-2, 3-0 CUSA)
LA Tech extended its winning streak to eight this past weekend with a home sweep over Missouri State and Abilene Christian.  The Bulldogs shut out the Bears 4-0 followed by a 4-2 victory against the Wildcats.
 
The 'Dogs are a combined 45-20 in dual singles (31-7 during current winning streak).  The anchor continues to be Zoie Epps who is 11-1 while playing at the top position.  The junior has been nothing sort of dominant lately, having not surrendered more than three games to her opponent in the last five matches. 
 
Right behind her is Isabella Walker who is 10-1 while playing at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots.  The freshman has won seven in a row, having clinched three matches this spring for the Bulldogs.
 
In dual doubles, LA Tech is a combined 21-10, having won nine doubles points in its 13 matches.  The Bulldogs are 11-2 in doubles over their last six matches, led by the duo of Maria Tsironi and Alice Brook who are 8-4.  The pairing has won five straight at the No. 2 position.  There is also the tandem of Epps and Walker who is currently ranked 59th in the country.
 
ABOUT SAM HOUSTON (7-10, 2-0 CUSA)
Sam Houston had its four-match winning streak come to an end on Thursday with a 4-3 loss at home to Stephen F. Austin.  After dropping the doubles point, the Bearkats fought back to even things up at 3-3, but the Lumberjacks clinched the victory with a three-set win on court five.
 
Prior to the loss, Sam Houston was coming off a road sweep against CUSA opponents WKU and Middle Tennessee, winning both by a score of 5-2.
 
In dual singles, the Bearkats are a combined 32-40, anchored by reigning CUSA Athlete of the Week Nayuma Subba.  The senior is 10-3 this spring while playing primarily at the top position.  She is currently riding a seven-match winning streak, all via straight sets.
 
Meanwhile in dual doubles, Sam Houston is a combined 11-18, having won the doubles point in four of its last five matches.  Three different doubles pairings have produced a team-high three wins.
 
LA Tech leads the all-time series versus Sam Houston, 13-12.  The Bulldogs have won three straight over the Bearkats, including a 4-0 win in Ruston last season. 
 
ABOUT NO. 54 RICE (8-5)
Rice snapped its two-match losing streak this past Sunday with a narrow 4-3 win at Tulane.  The Owls, who are ranked No. 54 in the country, suffered back-to-back losses to Wichita State and Charlotte prior to securing their eighth win of the spring.
 
In dual singles, Rice is a combined 39-25.  Their top player this season has been Divna Ratkovic who is 9-1, including a seven-match winning streak, while playing at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions.
 
The Owls are a combined 15-15 in dual doubles, having used 12 different pairings.  The best duo has been that of Ratkovic and Ema Mravcova who are 5-2, playing primarily on court two. 
 
Rice has won all 10 previous meetings versus LA Tech.  This will mark the third straight season that the Bulldogs and Owls square off on the courts.   
 
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