Sept. 19, 2005
WACO (SMU) - The SMU women's tennis team began the 2004-05 season this past weekend Sept. 16-18, as head coach Rob Howarth led his squad to the Baylor Fall Intercollegiate in Waco, Texas. Senior Svetlana Kouzmenko was seeded fourth in the women's main draw and freshman Natalia Bubien was seeded eighth, both posted strong performances for the Mustangs.
Bubien advanced to the semifinals in the main draw, winning three matches on the weekend. Bubien defeated Marissa Brown of UTA in the round of 32 with scores of 6-0, 6-0, then took out Andrea Martinez from Lamar in three-sets (6-3, 7-6, 7-6) to move on to the quarterfinals. Klara Zrustova of Baylor proved no match for Bubien in the quarters, as she won in straight-sets (6-1, 6-3). Bubien's run came to an end when Zuzana Cerna of Baylor finally outlasted her in three-sets (2-6, 6-2, 6-3) in the semis.
Kouzmenko also began the season strong, making the quarterfinals of the main draw. She began play in the round of 16 after receiving a first round bye and defeated Zuzana Krchnakova of Baylor in three-sets (1-6, 7-6, 7-6). In the quarters, she met another Baylor netter in Iva Mihaylova and fell this time in three-sets (6-0, 1-6, 6-3).
In other singles action, freshman Kristen Reid defeated the No. 1 player from UTA in Monika Peciulionyte (7-6, 7-6) in the round of 32, but lost to Iva Mihaylova of Baylor (6-2, 6-0) in the round of 16.
In doubles, Bubien and Kouzmenko were seeded third and reached the semifinals of the main draw. The tandem received a bye in the round of 16 and then defeated Lopez and Morgado from TCU, 8-5, in the quarterfinals. The duo was dispatched in the semis by Covello and Walter of Baylor, 8-5.
Co-captains Brooke and Halley Rambally lost their first main draw doubles match 8-5 to Cerna and Zrustova of Baylor, but rebounded to make the semifinals of the consolation draw before falling to Martinez and Shelander from Lamar 8-0.
Coach Howarth was encouraged by his team's opening performance.
"It was a good tournament for us overall and we saw some good competition," Howarth said. "We were very encouraged by the play of our freshman, especially Kristen and Natalia. Tournaments like this will really help us to develop as a team and prepare for a tough spring schedule."
For complete results of the 2005 Baylor Fall Intercollegiate, visit www.usta.com.
The SMU women's tennis team returns to action Sept. 23-25, when they travel to Denton, Texas, to participate in the UNT Invitational. For complete recaps, schedules and results for SMU tennis visit SMUMustangs.com.
