HOUSTON – The University of Houston Tennis team continues its impressive start to the season, hosting UTSA on Friday, , and SFA on Sunday, , at the Barbara Wallace Winston Tennis Facility.
Friday’s match against UTSA is scheduled for 1 p.m., while Sunday’s contest against SFA will begin at 2 p.m. Following a schedule adjustment due to anticipated weather conditions. Live streaming of both matches will be available here, with live statistics accessible here.
The Cougars enter the weekend with a perfect 7-0 record, a feat unmatched in program history. They recently swept both New Mexico (4-0) and UTRGV (7-0) in a doubleheader at the Barbara Wallace Winston Tennis Facility, maintaining their unblemished record.
Senior standouts Sophie Schouten and Chems Doha Zeghlouli have been instrumental in the team’s success, winning both of their doubles matches last week. The duo, alongside Krokhotina, remained undefeated in doubles play throughout the weekend.
Juniors Elizavata Morozova and Petja Drame secured a crucial doubles point against UTRGV, while freshman Alexia Lavinia Puiac, Morozova, and Drame contributed to the singles victories.
What we have is the second season under the leadership of Head Coach Katarina Adamovic, who returns five starters from the previous season. The team has benefited from the addition of new staff members, including former Missouri women’s tennis head coach Chris Wootton as an assistant coach and six-time All-WAC performer Santa Strombacha as a graduate assistant.
The Cougars also welcomed newcomers Chems Doha Zeghlouli and Petja Drame over the summer and Alexia Lavinia Puiac in December, bolstering the team’s roster.
UTSA enters the match with a 4-1 record, their only loss a narrow 4-3 defeat against Abilene Christian. The Roadrunners boast strong doubles pairings, with Natalia Castaneda/Giuliana Giardina and Celine Absawi/Laia Tarazona Peyro each securing two wins on courts one and three, respectively. Aoka Nagasawa leads UTSA in singles play with a pair of wins on court five.
Historically, Houston holds a 10-3 advantage over UTSA, but the Roadrunners have claimed the last three meetings. Last season’s 4-3 loss in San Antonio saw contributions from Iva Sepa and Krokhotina, who each secured a point for the Cougars.
SFA currently holds a 0-2 record, having suffered 5-2 losses to both Abilene Christian and North Texas. Sonja Rooth leads the Ladyjacks with a 2-0 record on court three.
Houston has dominated the series against SFA, maintaining a perfect 9-0 record, including a 7-0 sweep in their most recent meeting in . Sophie Schouten played a key role in that victory, contributing to both the doubles point and a singles point.
Fans are encouraged to support the Houston Tennis team through NIL opportunities and by joining the Center Court Club, which provides financial support beyond the team’s operating budget. Updates and news can be found by following @UHCougarTennis on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on the team’s Facebook and Instagram pages, UHCougarTennis and @uhcougartennis, respectively.
