March 9, 2008

Results

BEAUMONT - The Lamar University women's tennis team wrapped up a strong weekend of play with a 4-3 win over New Mexico State Sunday afternoon at the Cardinal Courts in Beaumont, Texas.

With the win the Lady Cardinals improve to 8-1 on the year and remain unbeaten at the Cardinal Courts. New Mexico State, who defeated the University of Houston on Saturday, falls to 8-4 with the loss.

Lamar opened the match by sweeping the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead, then collected wins from Andrea Martinez, Mariaryeni Gutierrez, and Maria Gutierrez in the top three spots in singles play to secure the win. The Aggies won the matches at four, five and six, but LU posted the 4-3 win.

In doubles play Martinez and Mariaryeni Gutierrez beat Aleksa Costa Sophia Marks 8-3 in the top spot while Maria Gutierrez and Manijee Ashrafi defeated Stephanie Eusebe Zeljka Juricek 8-5 at No. 2. In the No. 3 doubles match the Lady Cardinals tandem of Kaltrina Harbuzi and Salina Aranda cruised to an 8-1 win over Anne Fagegaltier and Paulina Zuniga.

In singles play Martinez outlasted Marks 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 1, Mariaryeni Gutierrez blanked Juricek 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 and Maria Gutierrez took down Eusebe 7-5, 0-6, 6-2 at No. 3 to secure the win. In the No. 4 singles match Fagegaltier took down Ashrafi 6-2, 7-5, Costa took down Anahita Jagtiani 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5 and Zuniga defeated Aranda 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.

"This win was a great way to close out the weekend," Head coach David Wong said. "New Mexico State is a good team and we fought very hard to win this match. Our ladies played exceptional tennis this weekend and picking up a pair of Southland Conference victories on Friday and Saturday made today's win even sweeter."

The Lady Cardinals will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon in Jacksonville, Fla. when they take on North Florida at 2:00.