Feb. 3, 2008
Complete Results in PDF Format
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s tennis team left the comforts of the tennis bubbles to play in extreme wind against New Mexico State on Sunday. The Lobos swept the doubles for the first time this season then continued on to sweep the dual 7-0. The victory gives New Mexico the 1.5 points in the Rio Grande Rivalry to take a 9-6 lead.
In doubles, New Mexico fought back in a couple of matches for the sweep. Senior Jennifer Ryba paired up with Victoria Tessmar to battle Stephanie Eusebe and Zeljka Juricek. The Lobo pair was down 4-3 but used a 5-2 run to win the match 8-6 at No. 2.
In the No. 3 spot, junior Maria Sotirchos teamed up with newcomer Anya Villanueva-Forte against Anne Fagegaltier and Paulina Zuniga. Sotirchos and Villanueva-Forte won their first game in their first dual match of the season but then went down 4-1. The Aggie pair continued their run going up 6-3 but the Lobo pair won five straight games to win the match 8-6 giving the Lobos the doubles sweep.
Lucy Scott and Sandra Zmak won their first dual doubles match of the season playing at the No. 1 spot. Scott and Zmak went ahead 3-0 before Sophia Marks and Aleska Costa won a game. The Lobo pair took the rest of the games to win 8-1.
In singles, freshman Emma Hayman was the first to finish with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Zuniga at the 5 spot. Ryba also won 6-2, 6-1 against Costa in the No. 6 spot. Zmak, ranked No. 85, made quick work of Eusebe winning 6-3, 6-0.
The Lobos did not lose a set but Ola Abou-Zekry, Mackenzie White and Scott all needed a tie-breaker to win one of their two sets. Villanueva and Sotirchos both got some extra practice and both won their matches playing the No. 7 and 8 spots respectively.
Head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz said: “I am really proud of the team on how they handled coming down here playing outside and with the winds. It was a total team effort with nine players contributing to the victory, it was fun. We are always expected to beat NMSU and its nice when we do it in such a decisive fashion.”
New Mexico improves to 2-2 this season. The Lobos return home to host Idaho on Thursday at 5 p.m. The Aggies fell to 2-2 overall.
For more information on Lobo tennis visit: http://golobos.cstv.com