Number-two Longhorns skunk women's tennis team in Austin

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by Jacky Brown

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The women's tennis team had a long day in Austin against the University of Texas this past Saturday. The Lady Longhorns defeated the Owls 9-0.

The University of Texas is ranked second in the nation, and four of their top six players are ranked individually in the nation.

At number-one singles, junior Paula Myslivecek faced Farley Taylor, who is ranked 20th nationally. Myslivecek fell 6-1, 6-3.

Playing number two for the Owls was junior Jessica Gagnon. She was defeated by Sandy Sureenphong 6-3, 6-0. Sureen-phong is ranked eighth in the country.

At number-three singles, freshman Jennifer Velasco lost to Christina Moros 6-1, 6-4.

In the fourth spot, sophomore Vessie Ivanova had a great perfomance against Melody Falco. Ivanova had a set point in the first set tie-breaker before losing 7-6, 6-3 to Melody Falco.

"Vessie played a very good match. The match was close, and Vessie had a set point in the first set," Head Coach Paul Blakenship said.

At number-five and six singles, respectively, sophomore Erin Talton and freshman Justyna Gudzowska both had good showings for Rice.

Talton lost a close match to Texas' Nomena Rasolomalala 7-5, 6-2. Laura Berendt from Texas, ranked 56th nationally, defeated Gudzowska in a tight match 6-3, 6-4.

"I was real pleased with the quality of play I saw," Blankenship said. "The morale of the team was very good despite the outcome, and the level of play was good.

"Texas is a top team, and I was impressed with how we played against them. For the rest of the season, we plan on concentrating on keeping our level of play high and consistent and not on wins or losses," he said.

In the doubles competition, Rice also had a tough time against the Longhorns. Texas' number-one doubles team of Taylor and Moros is ranked fourth in the nation.

Senior Olga Limon, taken out of singles competition due to an injury, teamed up with Ivanova to take on Taylor and Moros. Limon and Ivanova lost 6-2, 6-0.

Myslivecek and Gagnon gave the Texas team of Falco and Barendt a scare. In the first set, Myslivecek and Gagnon had opportunities to win the first set in the tie-breaker. They eventually lost the match 7-6, 6-1.

Velasco and Talton lost to Sureenphong and Anne Pastor 6-4, 6-0 in the number-three doubles slot. Rice next takes on Northeast Louisiana University this Friday at the Jake Hess Tennis Stadium at 1:30 p.m.

The next conference match for the women's team is against rival Texas A&M University. Rice will take on the Aggies at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at Jake Hess.

This item appeared in the Sports section of the February 23, 1996 issue.

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