By MATT DEARMAN

Sports Writer

Tech's tennis team traveled to Texas twice this month to compete in two tournaments, opening the season on Oct. 1 in Nacogdoches in the Stephen F. Austin Invitational, and continuing on Oct. 15 in College Station in the Rolex Regional.

"We've been doing good," Tech's head coach Terrence DeJongh said. "We pretty much dominated at SFA."

In the tournament at Stephen F. Austin, Tech put forth several solid matches, taking home five wins in their first outing of the year.

After getting its groove back at SFA, Tech traveled to Texas A&M for the Rolex Regional, a tournament hosting over 20 schools that DeJongh paralleled as the "U.S. Open of collegiate tennis."

Tech claimed several victories at the Rolex Regional, including sophomore Monica Kelly's dominating 6-1, 6-1 performance over Sam Houston State's Emma McDougal.

The most impressive performance of the tournament came from senior Saharai Uriate, who sailed through her first match 6-3, 6-2 before winning the second match in the third set 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Uriate's success continued through three rounds of play before she was finally defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Lauren Seaman of Louisiana State University.

"Saharai's matches were wonderful," coach DeJongh said. "She played awesome and beat a lot of big schools. I'm looking forward to seeing her play this year."

Uriate was also scheduled to play doubles with junior Avril Martinez, but Tech was forced to forfeit that match due to injury.

Tech returns to fall tennis action on Nov. 5 when they travel to Lafayette, La., to compete in the University of Louisiana-Lafayette tournament.

DeJongh is excited about the ULL tournament and optimistic about the future of Tech tennis.

"The girls are really pumped up about this season," DeJongh said.

"They know that it has to start in the fall, and they have done a good job getting ready."