March 7, 2003
FORT WORTH, Texas -
The 30th-ranked TCU women's tennis team fell to Conference USA opponent Tulane, 5-2, on Friday afternoon at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center. The loss was TCU's first against a C-USA foe this year and drops the Frogs' record to 4-3, 2-1 C-USA. Tulane, ranked 34th, advances its record to 9-1, 2-0 C-USA.
The duo of junior Saber Pierce and sophomore Karla Mancinas made short work of Maria Ivanov and partner Nancy Kockott, 8-2, at the second doubles position. Tulane claimed the other two doubles spots to start the match with a 1-0 lead.
Junior Paty Aburto, ranked no. 100, earned her first victory over a top-20 ranked opponent as no. 15 Julie Smekodub retired midway through the third set. Senior Rosa Perez, playing no. 3, defeated Ivanov in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1.
Next week, the women's team is in California for matches against Pepperdine, San Diego State and the University of San Diego beginning on Tuesday, March 11.
#34 Tulane 5, #30 TCU 2
Records: Tulane (9-1, 2-0 C-USA); TCU (4-3, 2-1 C-USA)
Singles
1. #100 Paty Aburto (TCU) def. #15 Julie Smekodub (Tulane) 6-2, 4-6, 3-0 retire
2. #50 Jenny Kuhn (Tulane) def. Saber Pierce (TCU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Rosa Perez (TCU) def. Maria Ivanov (Tulane) 7-5, 6-1
4. #78 Erika Valdes (Tulane) def. Karla Mancinas (TCU) 6-3, 6-1
5. Ana Saaibi (Tulane) def. Iris Jaklin (TCU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Nancy Kockott (Tulane) def. Gloriann Lopez (TCU) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles
1. #6 Julie Smekodub/Jenny Kuhn (Tulane) def. Paty Aburto/Rosa Perez (TCU) 8-4
2. Saber Pierce/Karla Mancinas (TCU) def. Maria Ivanov/Nancy Kockott (Tulane) 8-2
3. Erika Valdes/Ana Saaibi (Tulane) def. Ivonne Andrade/Iris Jaklin (TCU) 8-4
