By KYLE ROBERTS

Sports Writer

Tech's tennis team finished the season strong by netting four wins in its last six matches on the road and ending with a 9-11 record.

"Our team is playing awesome right now," Tech's interim coach Terrence De Jongh said.

"It really shows how hard we've worked."

Tech dominated Southern University in Baton Rouge on Monday by winning 5-1.

Tech's Saharai Uriarte, Holly Ready, Monica Kelley, Anabella Duque and Andrea Moncada all took singles' wins to aid the Techsters to a smashing victory.

In New Orleans on Sunday, the Techsters dropped a match to the University of New Orleans 4-3.

"UNO has a really awesome program," De Jongh said. "There was a lot of pressure, and the girls responded very well and stayed close. The game came down to a doubles' point, which we lost, but I'm very proud of them."

On Saturday, Tech traveled to Hammond and annihilated Southeastern Louisiana University 7-0.

"Last year we lost to SLU 4-3," De Jongh said.

"This year they had the same team, and we were able to absolutely crush them."

The Techsters won all the singles' matches and got the lone doubles' point to cap off the day.

On April 13 in Nacogdoches, Texas, Tech took care of Stephen F. Austin 6-1.

"We were able to get off to a great start," De Jongh said. "When we got the doubles' point, it really set the tone for the day."

Duque was taken out of her singles' match due to illness and was replaced by Avril Martinez.

On April 10 the girls traveled to Natchitoches and pounded Northwestern State University, the second-ranked team in the Southland Conference, 5-2 after suffering a loss to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in Lafayette the previous day.

"We lost in the doubles' point, and it seemed like their only advantage was being at home," De Jongh said. "We could beat them any given day in Ruston."

The road trip ended the Techsters' regular season, leaving the WAC Championship Tournament in Houston starting April 30.

"Our goal is to win at least one round," De Jongh said.

"This year we're better, and we can compete. We have accomplished a lot, and most of our losses were extremely close. We don't have one senior, and we should go on to even better things next year."