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Student Publications University of Houston 151C Communications Bldg Houston, TX 77204-4015 713.743.5350 ©1991-2007 Student Publications, All rights reserved. Last modified: Contact: ktruitt@uh.edu	Volume 71, Issue 118, Monday, April 3, 2006 Sports Cougars stumble at end of road vs. SMU by MARK SUAREZ The Daily Cougar On their final road trip of the season, the Cougars (16-4) improved their away record to 6-4, but saw their Conference record drop to 3-1 when they took on New Mexico State and Conference rivals UTEP and No. 52 SMU this weekend. On Friday, the Cougars opened their road trip by defeating New Mexico State (10-7) 6-1. The Cougars started play by taking the doubles point 8-6, 8-4, 6-8 and would claim 5 of 6 singles matches to cruise to a 6-1 victory over the Aggies. GREGORY BOHUSLAV/The Daily Cougar Junior Sonja Nikolic was able to win in convincing fashion over UTEP's Spirta, 6-0, 6-3. On Saturday, Houston made it two in a row when they defeated C-USA rival UTEP (6-13) 5-2, improving its conference record to 3-0. Houston took the doubles point 8-2, 8-5, 7-8 to open the contest. In singles action, junior Sonja Nikolic tallied a 6-0, 6-2 win over freshman Sandra Spirta to put the Cougars ahead 2-0. Later in the match, freshman Vicki Simpson put the Cougars up 3-1 when she defeated freshman Vicky Michaud 6-4, 6-4 in the No. 5 spot. Sophomore Brianna Bateup would then follow with a 6-4, 6-0 win over junior Katherine Palider in the No. 2 singles position to seal the win for the Cougars. Senior Kami Miller would end the contest with a 6-3, 7-6 win in the No. 4 spot to round off Houston's 5-2 victory. On Sunday, the Cougar road trip and win streak would both come to an end at the hands of C-USA opponent No. 52 SMU (15-5), 2-5, at the El Paso Tennis Club. In the loss, Houston saw its Conference record fall to 3-1. UH dropped the doubles point 0-8, 8-6, 7-9 to open the match. In singles action, senior Kami Miller tallied a 6-3, 6-0 win over freshman Kristen Reid in the No. 4 spot, and sophomore Brianna Bateup defeated freshman Natalia Bubien 7-6, 7-5 in the No. 2 spot of the lineup. However, the Mustangs would claim victories in the No.1, 3, 5, and 6 singles positions to complete its 5-2 victory over the Cougars. Houston will return home this week to face Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Friday at 1:00 pm. The Cougars will then take on Arkansas State at 9:00 am and Louisiana Tech at 2:00 pm on Sunday. *Send comments to dcsports@mail.uh.edu*		To contact the Sports Section Editor, click the e-mail link at the end of this article. To contact other members of The Daily Cougar Online staff, click here .