LA Tech Bulldogs Dominate at ACU Invitational
ABILENE, Texas – The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs showcased remarkable talent throughout the ACU Invitational, securing a total of 17 victories over the course of three days and capturing titles in both singles and doubles categories.
Impressive Singles Performances
Junior player Zoie Epps returned from a brief respite following her participation in the ITA All-American Championships, displaying exceptional form as she competed in Flight A. Epps exhibited dominance, losing only 10 games across three matches. Her victories included:
- Defeating Tadiwanashe Mauchi (Texas State) 6-2, 6-2
- Overcoming Nayuma Subba (Sam Houston) 6-1, 6-1
- Claiming the final against Maria Castano (Tarleton State) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles Triumphs
The doubles team of Mio Kozaki and June Vigneron also displayed an impressive performance in Flight C, winning all their matches with a scoreline of 6-2, besting teams from Stephen F. Austin, UT Arlington, and Tarleton State to clinch the championship.
Continued Success for Vigneron
Building on a successful weekend at the Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational, Vigneron continued her strong run by securing two additional victories, including a notable 6-4, 7-6 (4) win over Vanja Cado (UT Arlington), earning her a third-place finish in Flight E.
Consolation Bracket Resilience
Nina Skoric and Alice Brook responded well to early losses in their respective flights. Skoric rebounded in Flight C with two wins against:
- Aoka Nagasawa (UTSA) 6-1, 6-4
- Emma Petton (New Mexico State) 6-4, 6-4
Meanwhile, Brook secured victories in Flight F over:
- Mariella Gelbke (New Mexico State) 6-2, 6-4
- Stoney Cooks (Texas State) 6-3, 6-4
Additional Highlights
Diana Starodubtseva added one win each in singles and doubles, while Maria Tsironi partnered with Epps to reach the finals in Flight B doubles. After securing wins of 6-2 and 6-3 against teams from Abilene Christian and Texas State, their run concluded with a close 7-5 loss to Texas Tech.
Singles Results Summary
- Flight A: Zoie Epps defeated Tadiwanashe Mauchi (Texas State) 6-2, 6-2; Nayuma Subba (Sam Houston) 6-1, 6-1; Maria Castano (Tarleton State) 6-3, 6-1
- Flight B: Diana Starodubtseva lost to Natalia Castaneda Guerrero (UTSA) 6-1, 6-1; def. Sofia Selle (UT Arlington) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (8); lost to Masha Vrsalovic (Abilene Christian) 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (8)
- Flight C: Nina Skoric lost to Jemma Cave (SFA) 6-3, 6-2; def. Aoka Nagasawa (UTSA) 6-1, 6-4; def. Emma Petton (NM State) 6-4, 6-4
- Flight D: Maria Tsironi lost to Whitney Moon (NM State) 6-3, 7-6 (5); lost to Arina Oreshchenkova (Texas Tech) 6-2, 6-2; def. Elizaveta Mladentseva (UT Arlington) W/O Injury
- Flight E: June Vigneron def. Jacqueline Schnabel (Sam Houston) 4-1, retired; lost to Antonella Taco Villarreal (SFA) 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (5); def. Vanja Cado (UT Arlington) 6-4, 7-6 (4)
- Flight F: Alice Brook lost to Ximena Morales Araneda (Tarleton State) 6-4, 6-1; def. Mariella Gelbke (NM State) 6-2, 6-4; def. Stoney Cooks (Texas State) 6-3, 6-4
- Flight G: Mio Kozaki def. Julia Richardet (Texas State) 6-2, 6-1; lost to Anna Klimova (NM State) 7-5, 6-1; def. Ella Fitcher (Sam Houston) W/O Injury
Doubles Results Overview
- Flight A: Brook/Starodubtseva def. Mladentseva/Cado (UT Arlington) 6-2; lost to Brownback/Logvin (Texas Tech) 6-2; lost to Mauchi/Cooks (Texas State) 7-5
- Flight B: Epps/Tsironi def. Vrsalovic/Correa (Abilene Christian) 6-2; def. Collins/Mills (Texas State) 6-3; lost to Oreshchenkova/Daskalova (Texas Tech) 7-5
- Flight C: Kozaki/Vigneron def. Mamontova/Kinsey (SFA) 6-2; def. Gonzalez/Farkaslaki Hints (UT Arlington) 6-2; def. Morales Araneda/Minetti (Tarleton State) 6-2
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs are set to compete next at the ITA Southern Regionals in Auburn, Alabama, from October 13-17.
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