April 26, 2007
Colorado Springs, Colo. – The University of New Mexico Lobos (12-10, 5-4 MWC) advanced to the semifinal round of the Mountain West Conference Championship after a huge upset over No. 52 San Diego State (14-11, 6-3 MWC). The Lobos only have to defeat the No. 1 seed and 31st ranked BYU Cougars tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in order to advance to the final round.
New Mexico stormed the courts with an energy that hasn’t been seen amongst the team in several matches. The doubles matches were fast and brutal with the No. 1 and 2 doubles teams quickly overpowering the Aztecs. Lucy Scott and Sandra Zmak took the No. 1 position in an 8-2 match after Aleysa Vidov and Milana Yusupov had a hard time keeping the ball inside the lines. Ola Abou-Zekry and Jennifer Ryba teamed up at the No. 2 spot, also taking their match 8-2 over Bagshaw and Kitts. The No. 3 doubles position was being led by the Lobo team of Maria Sotirchos and Nora Quintal (7-6) when the match was called.
A group huddle ended in a vibrant cheer of “win” by the Lobo team before the singles matches started. The entire team still held on to the energy seen at the beginning of the doubles matches and New Mexico quickly won the three singles matches for the dual match win. An impressive 6-2, 6-3 match at the No. 6 position by Ryba over Ozge Atalay led the Lobos to their first singles win. Abou-Zekry took the second singles win at the No. 1 position with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Vidov. Sandra Zmak earned the match clincher at the No. 2 spot after defeating Bagshaw in another 6-2, 6-2 match.
The Lobos are looking for their second MWC Championship win tomorrow as they take on the No. 31 BYU Cougars in the semifinal round at 2:00 p.m.
New Mexico 4, San Diego State 0
Doubles
1. Scott/Zmak (UNM) def. Vidov/Yusupov (SDSU) 8-2
2. Abou-Zekry/Ryba (UNM) def. Bagshaw/Kitts (SDSU) 8-2
3. Quintal Ryba (UNM) vs. Cadua/Nielsen (SDSU) 7-6 DNF
Singles
1. No. 116 Ola Abou-Zekry (UNM) def. Aleysa Vidov (SDSU) 6-4, 6-2
2. Sandra Zmak (UNM) def. Holly Bagshaw (SDSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Jennifer Ryba (UNM) def. Ozge Atalay (SDSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Esther Cadua (SDSU) vs. Mackenzie White (UNM) 5-7, 2-3 DNF
4. Milana Yusupov (SDSU) vs. Nora Quintal (UNM) 5-7, 1-2 DNF
5. Sissie Nielsen (SDSU) vs. Lucy Scott (UNM) 6-2, 2-5 DNF