Cougars Release 2009 Football Slate

University of Houston Director of Athletics Dave Maggard and Head Football Coach Kevin Sumlin released the 2009 Cougar football schedule, a slate that includes Texas Tech’s first-ever visit to Robertson Stadium in a clash of two of the nation’s most prolific offenses. The Cougars also square off against two other BCS conference schools with a Sept. 12 visit to Oklahoma State of the Big 12, and an October 10 date at the SEC’s Mississippi State. Houston’s other non-conference battle is a first-ever encounter with Northwestern State.

Houston will face six bowl teams from 2008 (Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Memphis, Southern Miss, Tulsa and Rice) as well as Texas Tech (#12 in both polls) and Oklahoma State (#16/#18) finishing in the Top 25.

Tennis Team Sees Success

The University of Houston tennis team currently holds a 15-2 overall record improving tremendously on last season’s 16-11 mark, finishing 1-3 in conference play.

The Cougars beat Southern Miss earlier this season, 6-1 and beat both Tulane and Memphis,
5-2 for a spotless-league record of 3-0.

Houston is coming off a 7-0 shutout against Idaho State, their fifth shutout this season.

“We are playing more as a team this season,” head coach John Severance said. “We are having success this season because of consistent results.”

Junior Neila Starratt leads the Cougars with her 11-1 overall record, going 1-0 in C-USA and riding a current 10-game singles winning streak.

Senior Vicky Simpson is 14-2 overall, and is 2-1 in conference. She is perfect at the No. 6 spot at
5-0.

Sophomore Joanna Kacprzyk is 12-4 and 2-1 in the conference and undefeated at the No. 2 spot at 4-0, while freshman Alix Young has won 12 of her 15 singles matches and is undefeated at the No. 5 spot (6-0) and the No. 6 spot (4-0).

In doubles, the team of Kacprzyk and Lynley Wasson lead the Cougars with their record of 10-4. The duo is 6-2 at the No. 1 doubles spot and currently on a three game win-streak.

Kacprzyk was named Conference USA Tennis Player of the Week after finishing 3-0 in both singles and doubles for the week of March 16.

McCombs and Simpson are 3-0 in doubles at the No. 3 spot and 1-0 in C-USA, while the team of sophomore Lucy Forward and Simpson are 7-3.

Sophomore Laura Ring and McCombs are 6-1 and 2-0 in the league, with a 4-1 record at the No. 2 spot.

“The entire lineup is deep and has remained consistent throughout this season. We look forward to build upon this success for the future of this program,” Severance said.

Houston plays Texas-Pan American on March 28 at John E. Hoff Courts at 11 a.m., followed by a match played against Conference USA-rival Tulsa at 10 a.m. on March 29.

The Conference Championships will be held at the Rice campus April 16-19. Fans are encouraged to visit UHCougars.com for complete recaps, schedules and information regarding the tennis team.