For Immediate Release: February 16, 2001
Contact: Derek Smolik, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations

#75 Rice University Defeats UT Pan American Women’s Tennis, 7-0 Friday

HOUSTON, TEXAS – 75^th ranked Rice University swept their way past the University of Texas-Pan American 7-0, in women’s tennis action Friday afternoon at Jake Hess Tennis Stadium.

The best match of the day came at number one singles where UTPA’s Celine Merlini and Rice’s Erin Waters battled it out for three sets.  Merlini won the first set 6-3, but Waters fought back to win the second set, 6-4.  Waters won the tiebreaking third set 10-3 to win the match.  Despite the loss, Merlini is 15-5 this season.  The Lady Broncs had little success at any of the other singles slots.  At number four Alana Breen fell by a 6-0, 6-4, count to Jeri Gonzales.

The Lady Broncs (4-4) return to action on Saturday when they travel to Beaumont, Texas, at 9 a.m. to take on McNeese State.

(#75) Rice 7, UTPA 0
Women’s Tennis
Jake Hess Tennis Stadium

Singles
No. 1 – Erin Waters (Rice) d. Celine Merlini (UTPA), 3-6, 6-4, 10-3
No. 2 – Judith Hagedorn (Rice) d. Eve Nickelson (UTPA), 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 – Natalie Briaud (Rice) d. Julie Fife (UTPA), 6-0, 6-0
No. 4 – Jeri Gonzales (Rice) d. Alana Breen (UTPA), 6-0, 6-4
No. 5 – Yasmin Fisher (Rice) d. Jessica Brown (UTPA), 6-1, 6-0
No. 6 – Stephanie Moat (Rice) d. Mireya Villarreal (UTPA), 6-0, 6-1

Doubles
No. 1 – Fisher/Gonzales (Rice) d. Merlini/Nickelson (UTPA), 8-1
No. 2 – Briaud/Chao (Rice) d. Brown/Fife (UTPA), 8-0
No. 3 – Hagedom/Wallis (Rice) d. Espinoza/Villarreal (UTPA), 8-0

Record: UTPA 4-4, Rice 6-4