Louisiana Tech University’s women’s tennis team secured a 6-1 victory over Stephen F. Austin in their home opener at the LA Tech Tennis Complex on Saturday. The win brings the Lady Techsters’ season record to 6-2, with the team having won five of its last six matches.
LA Tech took an early lead by winning the doubles point. Mio Kozaki and Diana Starodubtseva claimed a 6-1 win at No. 3 doubles, while Alice Brook and Maria Tsironi clinched the point with a 6-4 victory at No. 2 doubles.
In singles play, June Vigneron defeated Avery Kinsey 6-0, 6-1 on court five, followed by Isabella Walker’s 6-1, 6-3 win over Alkmini Giannakogiorgou on court six. Maria Tsironi provided the match-clinching point for LA Tech by overcoming Ana Paula Chavez 6-2, 6-2 on court four.
Stephen F. Austin earned its only point of the day on court two through Sonja Rooth’s performance. However, LA Tech added two more points as Zoie Epps beat Felicia Back 6-2, 6-4 at No. 1 singles and Starodubtseva prevailed over Antonella Taco with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
Head coach Amy Sargeant commented: “I am incredibly proud of how we competed today in our first home match of the season. Setting the tone early and securing the doubles point at two and three speaks volumes about our preparation, belief, and commitment to each other. We made a clear decision to play on our terms to be the aggressors, to attack the ball with our feet, and to keep the game simple and disciplined. That mindset showed up across the board.”
She continued: “What impressed me the most today was the maturity and growth this team displayed. We understand what is ahead of us with a tough road stretch, and today proved we are building the habits and resilience needed to rise to that challenge.”
With this result, Louisiana Tech now leads Stephen F. Austin in their all-time series by a margin of 22 wins to nine and has won nine out of their last ten meetings against SFA. The Lady Techsters have also improved their overall record at home facilities to 101 wins against 32 losses since playing at LA Tech Tennis Complex.
The victory marks head coach Amy Sargeant’s fortieth career win at LA Tech—tying her for second-most all-time among program coaches—and extends LA Tech’s current home winning streak to eight matches dating back to last season.
Individually, both Zoie Epps and Isabella Walker notched their sixth dual singles victories this spring—the highest tally on the squad so far this year—and all three doubles pairings now have four wins each for this spring season.
Looking ahead, Louisiana Tech will begin a three-game road trip starting February 28 against UAB at Hoover Met Tennis Center.
