BOX SCORE

TAMPA, Fla. (SMU) – Senior Liza Buss earned a win over a ranked opponent, but SMU women's tennis fell to American Athletic Conference foe USF 4-1 at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts Tuesday afternoon.

Buss, No. 114 in singles in the latest Oracle/ITA Division I Rankings, defeated Ana Roman Dominguez, the 43rd-ranked player in the country, in straight sets (6-1, 6-4) at No. 1 singles. Buss is 5-2 this year against ranked opponents, and 14-11 overall, having played primarily at No. 1.

Buss and partner senior Vivienne Kulicke notched the lone doubles victory for the Mustangs, beating Nicole Dzenga and Vanja Klaric 6-2 at No. 1 doubles.

The Mustangs fell to 5-8 on the season and 2-2 against AAC opponents, while the Bulls improved to 7-7 and 2-0 against league foes.

USF secured the doubles point after victories on Courts 2 and 3. The Bulls then extended their lead to 3-0 with straight-set wins on Courts 5 and 4. Buss' win got the Mustangs on the board, but USF clinched the match at 4-1 when senior Anzhelika Shapovalova fell in a tiebreak in the second set on Court 2.

Kulicke and sophomore Nicole Petchey had forced third sets when play was halted.

SMU returns to action tomorrow, March 13 with a match at No. 28 UCF at noon CT.

USF 4, SMU 1 (March 12, 2019)
DOUBLES
1. Buss/Kulicke (SMU) def. Dzenga/Klaric (USF) 6-2
2. Boy/Roman Dominguez (USF) def. Perez-Lopez/Monarrez Yesaki (SMU) 6-4
3. Clark/Pellicer Perello (USF) def. Traxler/Hollebeck (SMU) 6-1
Order of Finish: 3,1,2

SINGLES
1. No. 114 Liza Buss (SMU) def. No. 43 Ana Roman Dominguez (USF) 6-1, 6-4
2. Vanja Klaric (USF) def. Anzhelika Shapovalova (SMU) 6-0, 7-6 (4)
3. Amelie Boy (USF) led Vivienne Kulicke (SMU) 3-6, 6-4, 4-1, unfinished
4. Laura Pellicer Perello (USF) def. Ana Perez-Lopez (SMU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Nicole Dzenga (USF) def. Sarai Monarrez Yesaki (SMU) 6-0, 6-2
6. Nicole Petchey (SMU) vs. Alexandria Mjos (USF) 6-2, 6-7 (2), unfinished
Order of Finish: 5,4,1,2