Tulsa, Okla – The University of New Mexico women’s tennis team had numerous successes on the third day of competition at the Omni Hotels/Central Region Championships. Tjasa Suvak (Belca, Slovenia) defeated Katherine Bushey of Air Force, 6-3, 6-1 in the singles round of 32, yesterday. The win advanced her to the round of 16, but she was unable to get past Jamina Hayward (Boise State)and lost in three sets, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Lobo Tiffany Robertson, as a result of winning all of her qualifying matches, was a part of the main draw singles round of 32. Despite a hard-fought game, the sophomore was defeated 6-1, 6-2 by BYU’s Dominique Reynolds.
UNM’s doubles teams were dominant yet again. The pair of Michelle Heidbrink and Robertson beat McIver/Rosenberg of Kansas State, 8-2. The two advanced to the round of 16 with the win, but were eventually defeated by Juric/Seiveikova of Missouri, 8-1.
Suvak and Maja Kovacek defeated Bushey/Negro of Air Force soundly in the round of 32 doubles play, 8-2. They too advanced to the round of 16, but fell 8-2 to Oklahoma’s Perianu and Saluri.
Doubles partners Rachel Hatley and Maria Ruiz-Fabrega had the best showing for the Lobos yesterday. They also competed in the doubles round of 32 and defeated MWC opponents Domingo/Lemperle of Colorado, 8-5. The pair then advanced to the round of 16 and were again victorious, beating Lemus and Zeilinski (Saint Louis) in a close 8-6 match. The two will compete in semi-final doubles action today.
Two Lobos also competed in backdraw matches yesterday. Heidbrink took on Bethany Griffin of Oklahoma and beat her in two solid sets, 6-2, 6-1. In the next round, Heidbrink played Nebraska’s Leslie Harvey but was beat in two sets, 6-2, 6-2.
After a bye in the first round of the backdraw, Kovacek played Stephanie Ginsberg of Denver to a win in the round of 16, 6-2, 6-2. With the victory Kovacek advances to the semi-finals of the backdraw which will be played today.
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