Box Score TAMPA (April 8, 2018) — The USF women's tennis team lost to No. 44 Rice University, 4-3, in their last home match of the season.

After the Bulls won the doubles point, senior Juliana Cardoso (Descalvado, Brazil) won in straight sets on court six, shutting out her opponent in the second set, 7-5, 6-0.
 
Ana Roman Dominguez defeated ranked opponent, No. 119 Wendy Zhang, on court two in straight sets 6-4, 6-1.  

The Bulls (11-7, 4-1) went into singles with the 1-0 advantage after winning the doubles point. Junior doubles duo Nicole Dzenga (Harare, Zimbabwe) and Vanja Klaric (Gaborone, Botswana) started the match with a, 6-2, win on court one against No. 31 Lindsey Hodge and Wendy Zhang.  
 
At No. 3 doubles, Ana Roman Dominguez (Burgos, Spain) and Alexandria (Austin, Texas) clinched the doubles point, 6-3.
 
Quotable:
 
Head coach Cristina Moros on the loss…

"Definitely a really tough match today. We lost to a really good team that just kind of hangs in and is very disciplined. They played a little bit better than us down the stretch. I thought our doubles was good. We hung in there in some spots and beat some good players in some spots, which I was happy with. We still need to get better going into our next match against a tough FIU team."
  
Results:
Singles Competition
1. Lindsey Hodge (RICEW) def. Jessica Chaves (USF) 6-3, 6-1
2. Ana Roman (USF) def. #119 Wendy Zhang (RICEW) 6-4, 6-1
3. Michaela Haet (RICEW) def. Vanja Klaric (USF) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
4. Anna Bowtell (RICEW) def. Evelyne Tiron (USF) 6-4, 6-2
5. Savannah Durkin (RICEW) def. Nicole Dzenga (USF) 7-5, 6-4
6. Juliana Cardoso (USF) def. Priya Niezgoda (RICEW) 7-5, 6-0

Doubles Competition
1.Nicole Dzenga/Vanja Klaric (USF) def. #31 Lindsey Hodge/Wendy Zhang (RICEW) 6-2
2. Juliana Cardoso/Jessica Chaves (USF) vs. Fernanda Astete/Priya Niezgoda (RICEW) 2-4, unfinished
3. Alexandria Mjos/Ana Roman (USF) def. Savannah Durkin/Michaela Haet (RICEW) 6-3
 
Match Notes:?
Rice 12-7; National ranking #44
University of South Florida 11-9
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (4,6,1,5,2,3)
A-143

Up Next:
The Bulls head south to Miami, Fla. to face No. 41 FIU for the last regular season match.

Be sure to follow USF women's tennis on social media (Twitter/ Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. Head coach Cristina Moros will be in her third year at the helm after leading the program to an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2017.