Heroes in Houston

HOUSTON – On a cold, dreary day in Houston, nothing could stop the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's tennis team from beaming with smiles after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Houston, marking the 24th straight regular season win.
 
Even more exciting, a pair of freshmen capped the comeback with third-set rallies of their own. With the Islanders trailing 3-2, both Louise Trigona and Maria Maldonado found themselves down 3-0 in the final set of their respective matches on courts four and five. To put it simply, things looked bleak for the Blue and Green's 23-match regular season win streak.
 
Then it happened. Trigona fought back against Lauren Alter, pulling even at 4-4. The two would trade the following two sets, making the score 5-5. At deuce in the next set, Trigona outlasted Alter to crack the door. The freshman displayed the mettle of a seasoned vet, seizing on the opportunity and leveling the match with her 6-0, 3-6, 7-5 victory.
 
All eyes were quickly bearing down on the Islanders other freshman as Maldonado found herself in a 3-0 hole as Trigona drew the Blue and Green even.
 
As her teammates raced over to cheer her on, Maldonado found the crucial first game. Then, the rookie had five break points, only to see Constanden Nicolaou rally back to steal the set and take a 4-1 lead. Maldonado could have folded, but the freshman has already developed the undying tenacity the Islanders have become known for.
 
She quickly held serve and then once again built a 40-0 advantage on Nicolaou's. After the Cougar rallied to deuce, Maldonado made sure the set did not slip away. The Islander rookie would hold her serve and break again to build a 5-4 lead. With the momentum on her side, Maldonado dominated the final game, clinching the match with an improbable rally.
 
THE RESULTS
 
>> Houston took a hard-fought doubles point with wins on courts one and three to put the Islanders behind early.
>> Marina Vicens Miquel started the comeback for the Blue and Green with a 6-2, 6-1 victory at number six.
>> Senior Judit Vives helped carry momentum with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in her number three slot.

MOORE'S THOUGHTS

On the match...
"That was a great college tennis match. Both teams competed with such fighting spirit and both teams deserved to win. Courtney Steinbock is a great new coach at Houston and they are a very good team. We really had to rise up today and I'm proud of our girls."

On the team...
"Today was all about character, toughness and girls that fight for each other. We lost a doubles point that we should have won against a very talented team. Instead of hanging our heads, these girls rose up with incredible spirit and energy and are immediately up four first sets in singles. I knew right then I loved the character of this new team. That was really for me almost enough, but then to see them double that show of character by coming back against such a talented team was incredible."

On Marina Vicens Miquel starting the rally...
"She has matured tremendously. She's worked incredibly hard and she's always out there doing extras. She listens well and has tremendous drive to be a starting lineup player for this team. When you see someone who works that hard shine through that's fulfilling."
 
BACK ON WEDNESDAY
 
The Islanders return to action Wednesday as they travel to UTSA to take on the Roadrunners.
 
WINNING LEDGER
 
Tennis Match Results
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs Houston
Feb 04, 2017 at Houston, Texas
 
Tennis Match Results
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs Houston
Feb 04, 2017 at Houston, Texas

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4, Houston 3
Singles competition:
1. DIMITROVA, Tsveta (HOU) def. Hortense Boscher (AMCC) 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
2. MAZZARI, Sveva (HOU) def. Jelena Dzinic (AMCC) 6-2, 6-2
3. Judit Vives (AMCC) def. ROVIRA, Cristina (HOU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Louise Trigona (AMCC) def. ALTER, Lauren (HOU) 6-0, 3-6, 7-5
5. Maria Maldonado (AMCC) def. NICOLAOU, Constanden (HOU) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
6. Marina Vicens Miquel (AMCC) def. GLUMAC, Ana (HOU) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles competition:
1. DIMITROVA, Tsveta/ROVIRA, Cristina (HOU) def. Jelena Dzinic/Judit Vives (AMCC) 6-4
2. GLUMAC, Ana/NICOLAOU, Constanden (HOU) vs. Louise Trigona/Marina Vicens Miquel (AMCC) 4-5, unfinished AMCC leading
3. MAZZARI, Sveva/ALTER, Lauren (HOU) def. Hortense Boscher/Alexandra Belle (AMCC) 6-3

Match Notes:
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 3-0
Houston 2-2
Order of finish: Doubles (13); Singles (2,6,3,1,4)
T-3:48