Staff writer
Winning is special. Winning on Senior Day is extra special.
It did not come easy though for Louisiana Tech as they dug themselves an early hole, but they dominated in singles by winning on five courts to take the 5-2 victory over Northwestern State on Tuesday at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
NSU (6-8) came out on top on courts two and three to grab the early doubles point.
In singles, Leonie Schucknecht won 6-2, 6-1 for LA Tech’s (8-10) first point. Then Claudia Oravcova, who received all of the attention prior to the match for the Senior Day ceremony (and rightfully so for the four-year senior), gave the home team another point with a 6-4, 6-1 win on court six.
Her court neighbor, Madalena Amil, prevailed 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 5 spot. The clincher then came from Ilana Tetruashvili who won 7-6, 6-1 at the No. 3 position.
“I am really proud of the team today,” said Tech head coach Amanda Stone. “Having the team win on Senior Day and our last home match made it extra special. Claudia has been an outstanding senior. I am really proud of her and I know she will continue to make us proud.”
GOLF: The eagles and birdies were coming more frequently on Tuesday for Louisiana Tech in the final round of the Huntsville Toyota Bearkat Invitational at the Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Course in Montgomery, Texas.
After shooting a combined +24 in the first two rounds, LA Tech finished the event strong by registering an even-par 288 in the final round to come in sixth place.
Senior Mac Murphy was the rock of the Bulldogs, tying for second with a four-under 212 (71-71-70). He registered four birdies on the final day to finish with a two-under 70 scorecard.
“It was a much better performance for our team today,” said Tech coach Matt Terry. “However, we still need to clean up our big numbers as we had to count four doubles and a triple today. It was nice to see the team have a solid round before we compete in the C-USA Championship.”
BASEBALL: Louisiana Tech head coach Lane Burroughs met with the media in his weekly press conference Tuesday. He first recapped the Bulldogs’ four-game sweep over Rice.
“Anytime you go on the road and get a four-game sweep, it is special,” Burroughs said. “Rice is a very good club, and I am proud of how our guys continue to find different ways to win.”
Next up for LA Tech is a second showdown versus West Division rival Southern Miss. The venue will be different, playing this time at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park, but the intensity will certainly be the same.
“The one thing you do look at is that they have not lost since we played them,” Burroughs said. “They are playing really well, and we know they are going to come in ready to go. If you want to be a true champion and a true competitor, I do not know if there would be any other way you would do it.”