Box Score

DENTON, Texas (3/14/08) The day before her birthday, senior Idalina Franca scored the final point for the Mean Green tennis team in a 6-1 victory over Southern Illinois Friday afternoon.

Franca, who is turning 26 tomorrow, put the exclamation point on the Mean Green (7-6) victory over the Salukis (6-5) with a 3-6, 6-2, 12-10 win.

“I didn’t play my best at first,” said Franca. “But coach [Sujay Lama] said that champions win matches even when they are not playing their best. We have a strong team with a lot of talented players and we found a way today to come out with a victory.”

North Texas kicked the match off well winning every doubles match. The No. 1 doubles team of Madura Ranganathan and Catalina Cruz improved their season record to 5-1 after today’s match and Franca and Amy Joubert remain undefeated on the year with an 8-0 win.

The Mean Green came out on top in the No. 2 through No. 6 singles matches and were two tie break points away form a sweep in the No. 1 position.

North Texas heads to the Sunshine State next Tuesday and Thursday to face Florida Atlantic and Florida International.