Strong performance in singles helps Women's Tennis defeat No. 20 Notre Dame
NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- The 13th-ranked University of Texas women’s team lost two-of-three doubles matches, but recorded strong performances in singles to defeat 20th-ranked Notre Dame, 4-3, at Eck Tennis Pavilion on Saturday, Feb. 26, and remain undefeated on the season. Texas (7-0) opened the dual with an upset at the top of the doubles lineup as the 26th-ranked tandem of juniors Katie Ruckert (Vienna, Va.) and Kendra Strohm (Tucson, Ariz.) posted an 8-5 victory over the nation’s No. 1 duo of Catrina and Christian Thompson. Notre Dame, however, responded with a pair of 8-6 wins at the Nos. 2 and 3 spots to clinch the double point. “Our team played the best doubles it has played all year, and there continues to be improvement,” head coach Jeff Moore said. “Notre Dame has won every doubles point this year and when Katie (Ruckert) and Kendra (Strohm) upset the No.1 doubles team in the nation, it gave the rest of the team a lot of momentum.” The Longhorns’ comeback began with junior Mia Marovic (Split, Croatia), who posted a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Lauren Connelly at No. 4 singles. Ruckert followed with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Christian Thompson at the third spot, and sophomore Ristine Olson (Missoula, Mont.) recorded Texas’ third straight point with a 6-1, 7-6 victory over Liz Donohue at the No. 6 position. Notre Dame’s Catrina Thompson picked up a 6-4, 6-1 win over sophomore Petra Dizdar (Split, Croatia) at No. 1 singles, but freshman Courtney Zauft (San Antonio, Texas) battled in her second set to defeat Kristina Stastny, 6-1, 7-6, and clinch the match for Texas. “In singles, the one word that typifies this team is poise,” Moore continued. “Regardless of the circumstances, the players made adjustments calmly and asserted themselves aggressively.” The Longhorns continue non-conference action on Sunday, Feb. 27, when they travel to Evanston, Ill., to face the fourth-ranked Northwestern Wildcats at noon Central. #13 Texas 4, #20 Notre Dame 3
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