Sept. 30, 2008
The University of New Mexico women’s tennis team will take their first road trip this weekend to Boise, Idaho for the Boise St. Invitational. Making the trip to Boise will be, seniors Ola Abou-Zerky, Mackenzie White and Maria Sotirchos, sophomores Emma Hayman, Victoria Tessmar and Anya Villanueva-Forte, and freshmen Jessica Gardefjord and Manuema Durie. The tournament will take place on Oct. 3-5.
FROM HEAD COACH Kathy Kolankiewicz:
“The Boise St. Invitational will be another higher level of competition than the UNM Fall Invitational. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
FROM ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH Roy Canada:
“All teams involved finished within the top 65 in the country last year. This weekend will certainly prepare our players for regionals and for our next home event.”
LAST TIME AT BOISE ST.-
Last year at the Boise St. Invitational the women won 15 of their 19 matches. Mackenzie White, Emma Hayman, Jennifer Ryba, Maria Sotirchos and Victoria Tessmar all came away with wins in singles play. Ola Abou-Zerky and partner Emma Hayman were victorious in doubles as well as Victoria Tessmar and Maria Sotirchos.
UNM FALL INVITATIONAL-
The Lobos advanced two players to the finals at the UNM Fall Invite on Sept. 19-21, senior Ola Abou-Zerky and sophomore Anya Villanueva-Forte. Villanueva-Forte lost to Yumi Hasegawa from NAU 6-1, 6-2. Abou-Zerky put up a fight during her four hour match against Denver’s Annette Akasdal. The match was back and forth the first two sets with Akasdal winning the first set 7-6 and Abou-Zerky winning the second 7-6. Abou-Zerky was up 5-2 in the third set but let the lead slip away and Akasdal came back to win 7-5.
LOBOS THIS SEASON –
The Lobo women’s tennis team consists of three seniors, four sophomores and welcomes four freshmen. Head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz enters her 24th season at UNM and holds an overall record of 346-222. Roy Cañada begins his 13th season as assistant head coach and has a record of 213-112. Gui Dupont joins the team this season as a volunteer assistant coach.
LOBOS SCHEDULE –
The Lobos will travel to Midland. TX on Oct. 10th through the 12th for the Collegiate Invitational. Spring play for the Women’s tennis team will start on Jan. 19th against LSU.