Tucson, Ariz.– The No. 51 University of New Mexico women’s tennis team earned two singles wins and one doubles win against No. 34 Arizona, but the victories were not enough as the Lobos lost the fourth match of the season to Arizona, 5-2, at the Lanelle Robson Tennis Center, Thursday, Feb. 12.
In doubles action, a UNM win came from the duo of freshman Iva Gersic and senior Maria Ruiz-Fabrega at the No. 2 singles position. The New Mexico tandem defeated UA’s Kelly Perry and Debbie Larocque, 9-8. At the No. 1 doubles spot, sophomore Maja Kovacek and senior Sandy Lukowski fell to Dianne Hollands and Maja Mlakar, 8-1. UNM’s Michelle Heidbrink and Tiffany Robertson could not find a win at No. 3, losing 8-6 to Arizona’s Iza Ferreira and Jessie Rochefort.
Lukowski was victorious at the No. 3 spot in singles, defeating Larocque 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 while Heidbrink showed winning form at No. 6 with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Wildcat Ferreira. In a tough match at the No. 1 singles position, Gersic was unable to win the battle against Hollands, losing 6-2, 6-7(9-7), 6-1. Kovacek was defeated by Mlakar, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 while at the No. 4 spot, Robertson fell in a 2-6, 6-0, 6-0 match against Rochefort. At the No. 5 position, senior Tjasa Suvak was defeated by UA’s Perry, 6-0, 6-3.
This Saturday, Feb. 14, the Lobos will try to improve their 2-2 record when they face in-state rival New Mexico State in Las Cruces, N.M., 10:00 a.m.
Breakdown of Results
Doubles
1. Hollands/Mlakar(UA) d. Kovacek/Lukowski(UNM), 8-1
2. Gersic/Ruiz-Fabrega(UNM) d. Perry/Larocque(UA), 9-8
3. Ferreira/Rochefort(UA) d. Heidbrink/Robertson(UNM), 8-6
Singles
1. Dianne Hollands(UA) d. Iva Gersic(UNM), 6-2, 6-7(9-7), 6-1
2. Maja Mlakar(UA) d. Maja Kovacek(UNM), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
3. Sandy Lukowski(UNM) d. Debbie Larocque(UA), 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
4. Jessie Rochefort(UA) d. Tiffany Robertson(UNM), 2-6, 6-0, 6-0
5. Kelly Perry(UA) d. Tjasa Suvak(UNM), 6-0, 6-3
6. Michelle Heidbrink(UNM) d. Iza Ferreira(UA), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1