BOISE, Idaho – The No. 64 ranked University of New Mexico women’s tennis team fell by a close 4-3 margin to the Broncos of Boise State (No. 57) this afternoon at the Boas Tennis and Soccer Complex in Boise, Idaho. Lobo freshman Maja Kovacek and junior Tjasa Suvak went undefeated against BSU, winning both their doubles and singles matches. The loss drops New Mexico to 2-1 on the season.
The duo of Kovacek and Suvak teamed up against Boise State’s No. 1 pair of Hayward and Polowski. The Lobo pair beat its opponent 8-6. In other doubles action, Michelle Heidbrink and Tiffany Robertson, playing at the No. 3 spot, defeated Pongratz and Curtolo by a hard-fought 9-8 score.
At the No. 2 position Rachel Hatley and Maria Ruiz-Fabrega were beaten 8-3 by Boise State’s Stoop and Ayling. This was only the second doubles loss the No.9 central regionally ranked duo has suffered in fall and spring play combined.
Kovacek, ranked No. 7 in the I.T.A.’s fall central region rankings, had an impressive win over BSU’s No. 1 player Renate Stoop who is ranked 73rd in the nation. Kovacek beat the senior in two sets, 6-3, 7-6. The Lobos were also victorious at the No. 2 spot. No. 10 regionally ranked Suvak took the Broncos’ Danielle Hayward to three sets before beating her 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.
The next four singles matches did not go in Lobo favor. No. 3 positioned Michelle Heidbrink was defeated 7-5, 6-2 by Alissa Ayling. Tiffany Robertson made it hard for Erin Polowski in the first set, losing by a close 7-6, before the Bronco ended the match with a 6-2 win in the second set. UNM’s No. 5 seeded player, Maria Ruiz-Fabrega fell to Anna Curtolo in two sets, 6-3, 6-1. Rounding out singles competition for the day was senior captain Rachel Hatley. Hatley battled Caroline Pongratz at the No. 6 spot and was defeated 7-6, 6-3.
The Lobos return to competition tomorrow when they face the Washington State Cougars in Boise, Idaho. Match time is set for 10 a.m. (P.S.T.)