by Andrew J. Ferraro
Staff Writer
When the University of Southwestern Louisiana women's tennis team arrived at the UH Varsity Tennis Complex, it was already plagued with injuries.
But in the aftermath of the Cougars' 8-0 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns Saturday afternoon, Southwestern Louisiana will need more than a doctor to repair the damage.
Senior Julie Stone, who retired Melanie Jaquet 6-3 (match forfeited due to injury), said USL seemed to be down about its misfortune even before the match began.
"They acted like they didn't care about being here," Stone said.
"And they acted like they didn't even want to win. Their team overall was just completely injured."
Despite the relatively easy win, the Cougars No. 1 player, junior Susanne Andersson, had a rough time getting by her opponent despite winning the first set.
But Andersson recovered and won 6-2, 6-7, (7-3), 6-3.
The Cougars also received singles wins from sophomore Luciane Kelbert, who scorched Julia Mertins 6-1, 6-3; sophomore Sarah Bolle, who defeated Katia Antropova 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, (9-7); and senior Kristen Paris, who blasted Maribeth Rivera 6-0, 6-1.
In doubles, just one match was played and the Cougars tandem of Andersson and Paris cruised to a 8-2 win over Southwest Louisiana's Mertins and Rivera.
"I don't think they played as well as they should have," Houston coach Stina Mosvold said.
"Because of their injuries, they were just mentally down."
The Cougars will return to action 2 p.m. today against Texas-San Antonio at the UH Varsity Tennis Complex.