TULSA, Okla. (4/5/08) The University of North Texas tennis team defeated the University of Houston 4-3 Saturday afternoon in Tulsa, Okla.

North Texas improves its season record to 11-7 and is now 4-8 all time against the Cougars.

“We are so proud of our team for battling through the doubles and singles matches,” said assistant tennis coach Jeff Maren. “They stayed focused and had very high energy on each court. That helped the girls play at their peak level.”

It all came down to the final match in the No. 6 spot where Rachael Wilhelm defeated the Cougars Joanna Kacprzyk in a heroic match. Wilhelm, a junior from Coppell, Texas, won the first set 7-6. Down 5-1 in the second set, Wilhelm was able to bring it back to a tie break and win the set 7-6.

“I never felt like I was going to lose, even when I was down 5-1 in the second set,” Wilhelm said. “I had the whole team there cheering for me and it felt good to have their support.”

The Mean Green started off well by clinching the doubles point in the No.2 and No. 3 spots. The doubles team of Wilhelm and Narine Kazarova defeated Vicky Simpson and Neila Starrat of the Cougars in the No. 2 spot 9-8. Wilhelm and Kazarova improved their record to 5-1 this season. In the No. 3 spot Idalina Franca and Amy Joubert had there second win in a row when they defeated Jordan McCombs and Lynley Wasson 8-5.

Next up, the Mean Green will play No. 52 Tulsa tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Tulsa, Okla.  

Doubles

1. Forward/Salek (Houston) def Ranganathan/Cruz (NT) 8-5

2. Wilhelm/ Kazarova (NT)  def. Simpson/ Starrat (Houston) 9-8

3. Franca/ Joubert (NT) def. McCombs/ Wasson (Houston) 8-5

Singles

1. Ranganathan (NT) def. Forward (Houston) 6-1, 7-5

2. Salek (Houston) def. Cruz (NT) 7-6, 6-3

3. Starrat (Houston) def. Kazarova (NT) 6-3, 6-2

4. Franca (NT) def. Wasson (Houston) 6-2, 6-4

5. Simpson (Houston) def. Joubert (NT) 6-3, 6-2

6. Wilhelm (NT) def. Kacprzyk (Houston) 7-6, 7-6