Jan. 29, 2006
TEMPE, Ariz. – The No. 48 University of New Mexico women’s tennis team suffered their first loss of the season after falling 5-2 in an away match against the No. 24 Arizona State University this weekend in Tempe, Ariz. This was the Lobos first match competing as a team.
New Mexico started the day off strong winning the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and 2 positions. The 3rd ranked duo of Iva Gersic and Maja Kovacek defeated the No. 26 Kady Pooler and Roxanne Clarke 8-5 at the No. 1 spot. At the No. 2 spot sophomores Ola Abou-Zekry and Lucy Scott defeated the 34th ranked Sabrina Capannolo and Rebecca Rankin 8-6.
“Ola and Lucy played a great doubles match,” said head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz. “It was the best I’ve ever seen them play.”
The Sun Devils proved to be much stronger in its singles matches. Arizona upset New Mexico’s No. 1 and 2 spots as No. 20 Kovacek was defeated by No. 100 Capannolo 6-4, 6-4 and No. 45 Gersic suffered a loss by Arizona’s Pooler 6-3, 6-2. Abou-Zekry rallied for the Lobos at the No. 4 spot with a win against Wendy Pilecka 7-6 (4-2), 6-2. Arizona answered back with wins in the No. 3, 5 and 6 spots giving them the points they needed to defeat the Lobos.
“It was a little disappointing,” said Kolankiewicz. “We just made too many errors, but we’ll take this experience with us, move on and focus on what we need to do better against Portland and Washington.”
New Mexico will travel to Seattle, Washington to compete against Portland and Washington on February 4 and 5, 2006.
No. 24 Arizona State University 5, No. 48 New Mexico 3
Singles Results
1. #100 Sabrina Capannolo (ASU) def. #20 Maja Kovacek (NM) 6-4, 6-4
2. Kady Pooler (ASU) def. #45 Iva Gersic (NM) 6-3, 6-2
3. Roxanne Clarke (ASU) def. Nora Quintal (NM) 6-2, 6-2
4. Ola Abou-Zekry (NM) def. Wendy Pilecka (ASU) 7-6 (4-2), 6-2
5. Laila Abdala (ASU) def. Lucy Scott (NM) 6-3, 6-0
6. Jessica Leitch (ASU) def. Mackenzie White (NM) 6-3, 7-5
Doubles Results
1. #3 Maja Kovacek / Iva Gersic (NM) def. #26 Kady Pooler/Roxanne Clarke (ASU) 8-5
2. Ola Abou-Zekry / Lucy Scott (NM) def. #34 Sabrina Capannolo/Rebecca Rankin (ASU) 8-6
3. Wendy Pilecka/Jessica Leitch (ASU) def. Nora Quintal / Jennifer Ryba (NM) 8-0