The first road challenge for the Lady Raiders and Texas Tech women’s tennis coach Todd Petty did not go well, as the team recorded its first loss of the season.
No. 73 Tech took a 5-2 loss to North Texas Saturday in Denton. The win gives UNT some revenge, considering Tech handled the Mean Green 6-1 in Lubbock last season. It also was UNT’s first win against a ranked opponent in school history.
“They had this one circled on their schedule,” Petty said of UNT. “They were hungry, our girls were hungry. I don’t think it was a lack of motivation, I think it was just a lack of execution. They definitely came out with some confidence and looking for an upset. I give all the credit to them the way they performed in the pressure situations.”
The match started with doubles, where the Lady Raiders (3-1) have limited experience this season. Tech had played doubles only one time this season.
At the top of the doubles lineup, Kelsy Garland and Natalie Leitch defeated sophomore Irina Paraschiv and junior Amy Joubert 8-6.
This was Tech’s only victory in doubles play, giving UNT the doubles point.
“Definitely a little bit hindering to us,” Petty said of Tech’s strength in doubles play. “That’s no excuse. We gave ourselves a chance in all three. We were at 6-0 in all three of the doubles, two games away from each one. Didn’t win the big points and North Texas did, and that was the case all day.”
UNT (3-2) dominated the singles play earning victories in the No.1, No.2, No.4, and No. 5 spots. Paraschiv beat freshman Sandra Dynka in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4, in the No. 1 spot. Madura Ranganathan defeated Garland in the No. 2 spot, 6-2, 7-6.
The Lady Raiders continue their road trip as they face Arizona on Saturday and Rice on Sunday in Houston.
Petty said his players should understand the competition will get tougher and losses like Saturday’s are expected from a young team.
But he also said credit has to go to the Mean Green.
“It was one of those eerie feelings from the beginning,” he said. “From the warm up on it just didn’t feel right. The girls fought hard, but give it to North Texas they went out there and took it from us, and played very well.”
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