HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The streak keeps growing for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs secured their ninth consecutive victory with a commanding 6-1 road win over Sam Houston on Saturday at the Chuck & Wanda Beckner Tennis Center.
 
LA Tech (12-2, 4-0 CUSA) continued its strong run in conference play by taking control early and never looking back, claiming the doubles point and five of six singles matches to seal the win.
 
The Bulldogs jumped ahead by winning two doubles courts.  The duo of Diana Starodubtseva and June Vigneron earned a 6-2 win on court three, while the tandem of Maria Tsironi and Alice Brook followed with a 6-3 victory on court two to clinch the opening point.
 
In singles, LA Tech's depth proved too much.  Mio Kozaki set the tone on court six by cruising to a 6-1, 6-0 win over Adi Venkatakrishan.  Soon thereafter, Zoie Epps registered another decisive 6-1, 6-3 win on court one against reigning CUSA Athlete of the Week Nayuma Subba who came into the match having won seven straight.
 
The clinching point then came from Vigneron who delivered a strong 7-5, 6-0 performance at the No. 4 spot against Sara Sadadinovic.  The Bulldogs tacked on two more points as Starodubtseva battled through a three-set thriller at No. 2, rallying for a 4-6, 7-6 (4), 10-4 victory and Tsironi added a straight-set win (6-4, 6-4) at No. 3.
 
Sam Houston's (7-11, 2-1 CUSA) lone point came on court five in a tightly contested three-set match.
 
With the win, LA Tech remained unbeaten in CUSA play and posted its sixth consecutive road win.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amy Sargeant
 
"Today's goal was to enjoy the moment and commit to simple, high-percentage tennis and we did exactly that.  Our doubles continue to grow every time we step on court, built on strong first serve percentages and confident, aggressive net play."
 
"I am proud of how we competed across all singles spots.  Everyone trusted their game style, stayed coachable, and played with freedom in the biggest moments.  That is what trusting the process looks like.  We need to carry this belief, energy, and momentum into tomorrow and keep building."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series versus Sam Houston, 14-12.  The Bulldogs have won four straight over the Bearkats.
• The Bulldogs improved to 12-2 on the spring.  It is tied for the second best start to a season in program history (most wins prior to the third loss).
• LA Tech won its 10th consecutive CUSA regular season match, a streak that dates back to 2024.
• The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to nine matches, which is tied for the fifth longest streak in program history.
• LA Tech won its sixth consecutive road match, tied for the second longest streak in program history.
• LA Tech won its 10th double point of the spring (out of 14 matches).  The Bulldogs have won four straight doubles points and six of the last seven.
• Zoie Epps won her nine straight match at No. 1, all via straight sets.  It was dual singles win No. 48 for her Bulldog career, the eighth most in program history.
• Mio Kozaki won her 11th consecutive dual singles match, a streak that dates back to last season.  It is tied for the sixth longest streak by a Bulldog in the last 15 years.
• Maria Tsironi and Alice Brook teamed up for their ninth dual doubles win of the spring.  The tandem has won six straight.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will head to Houston to battle 54th-ranked Rice on Sunday.  First serve is set for 11 a.m. CT at the George R. Brown Tennis Center.
 
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