Houston snaps women's tennis four-game streak

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by Alex Chapman

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The Owls turned the challenge of having four games in ten days into an advantage as they won all four to build momentum for the postseason. But the physical and mental strain finally caught up with them three days later as Houston ended Rice's four-game winning streak.

Rice began the stretch with a match against Texas Tech University on March 28, defeating the Red Raiders at their home stadium 9-0.

The Owls then went to Southwestern Louisiana University, where they nearly came up with a second sweep, winning by a final total of 8-1 on April 1.

Rice then returned to Jake Hess Tennis Stadium for another dominating victory on April 3, defeating Nicholls State University by al margin of 8-1.

The Owls faced what was probably their most significant challenge of the streak against Southern Methodist University, ranked 47th in the country. The Owls still won by a strong margin, with the final score of the match 6-3.

Three days later, on April 9, a tired team went to the University of Houston and came up just short against the Cougars, falling five matches to four.

Said No. 1 singles player Paula Myslivicek, "We've been travelling for the past two weeks. It's been physically and emotionally tough, and the team handled it well. It just caught up with us at Houston. UH came out and played pretty well."

The Owls have now won 10 and lost eight, with three wins and three losses in the Southwest Conference.

Myslivicek, Jessica Gagnon and Jennifer Velasco have compiled a 36-18 record in the top three singles spots to lead the way for the Owls.

In doubles play, Rice's second and third teams have done well, but the Owls have had little success from their top team.

Rice finishes the season against TCU in Fort Worth on April 13. Texas Christian will also host the SWC postseason tournament April 19-21.

"We're in a pretty good spot going into the conference championship," Myslivecek said. "If we come out and play tough, and if we play like we've been playing the last two weeks, we should do well."

This item appeared in the Sports section of the April 12, 1996 issue.

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