Rice University
Fresno State
Rice Rebounds to Blank Bulldogs
1/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
by Chuck Pool (cpool@rice.edu) -
Fernanda Astete closed out an unbeaten weekend while Lindsey Hodge and Wendy Zhang added wins in singles to lead the Rice women's tennis team to a 4-0 win over Fresno State in the consolation round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend at the Yarbrough Tennis Center in Auburn, Alabama on Sunday.
"Today was a total team effort. Everyone played solid, committed tennis and were stars in their role," Rice head coach Elizabeth Schmidt said. "Now, we'll get back to work on the practice court this week to prepare for two more tough matches next weekend."
Less than 24 hours after dropping a 4-2 decision to 18th ranked USC, the Owls (2-1) were back on the courts looking for their first-ever win against their former WAC rivals. Fresno State came into play 4-0 against the Owls, with the most recent victory coming in the finals of the 2005 WAC Championship.
The Owls shook off any lingering effects of the loss to the Trojans on Saturday by taking command by grabbing the doubles point and then taking four of six first sets.
Zhang and Hodge, who upset USC's 18th ranked doubles team on Saturday, finished first with a 6-3 win on court one and Alison Ho and Priya Niezgoda posted the Owls second defeat over a ranked double opponent when they clinched the point with a 6-3 win over No. 50 Katerina Stloukalova and Georgia Lawson.
Hodge added the second point of the day with a straight set win over Galina Bykova, 6-0, 6-4, and Astete extended the lead to 3-0 moments later with a 6-3, 6-2 over Lawson.
Zhang provided the clincher by winning the last three games in the second set to down Stloukalova, 6-3, 7-5.
The Owls return to their home courts next Friday when they host Princeton at noon.
Rice 4, Fresno State 0
Singles competition
1. Wendy Zhang (RICE) def. Katerina Stloukalova (FS) 6-3, 7-5
2. Lindsey Hodge (RICE) def. Galina Bykova (FS) 6-0, 6-4
3. #110 Katherine Ip (RICE) vs. Emma Wilson (FS) 4-6, 6-2, 1-2, unfinished
4. #102 Alison Ho (RICE) vs. Juliane Triebe (FS) 4-6, 6-3, 2-0, unfinished
5. Fernanda Astete (RICE) def. Georgia Lawson (FS) 6-3, 6-2
6. Savannah Durkin (RICE) vs. Ndindi Ndunda (FS) 6-3, 1-6, 2-2, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Wendy Zhang/Lindsey Hodge (RICE) def. Olivia Noble/Juliane Triebe (FS) 6-3
2. Alison Ho/Priya Niezgoda (RICE) def. #50 Katerina Stloukalova/Georgia Lawson (FS) 6-3
3. Katherine Ip/Savannah Durkin (RICE) vs. Emma Wilson/Galina Bykova (FS) 5-3, unfinished
Match Notes:
Fresno State 1-2
Rice 2-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (2,5,1)
Match played indoors
Official: Chris Rodger T-2:29
Players Mentioned
