Feb. 26, 2009
Up Next For The Lobos…
After nearly a month on the road the No. 50 University of New Mexico women’s tennis team begins a four-match homestand this weekend when it takes on Boise State (7-2) and Northern Arizona (2-5) at the Randy Briggs Indoor Tennis Bubble. New Mexico (2-5) will play Boise State on Friday at 5 p.m. and faces NAU on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Who Are The Broncos?
Boise State is coming off a 5-2 win to BYU on Feb. 25. Five letterwinners return to this year’s team including No. 95 senior Pichittra Thongdach. The Broncos finished the 2007-08 season 20-7 and second in the Western Athletic Conference. Boise State is coached by Mark Tichenor, who has compiled a 157-60 record over his nine-year tenure.
Who Are The Lumberjacks?
Northern Arizona is coming off a 7-0 win over Texas-Pan American on Feb. 22. The Lumberjacks lost their first four matches but are 2-1 in since then. NAU return five letterwinners from the 2007-08 season, which finished with a 13-10 record. The Lumberjacks posted a 6-1 record in the Big Sky Conference, which was good for a second place finish. NAU is coached by Kim Bruno.
Last Time Against The Broncos…
Last time the two teams met, New Mexico defeated Boise State 5-2 on Feb. 29, 2008 in Albuquerque. Current players Ola Abou-Zekry and Emma Hayman were among the UNM winners last year. The Lobos have an all-time record of 9-1 against the Broncos.
Last Time Against The Lumberjacks…
New Mexico defeated NAU, 6-1, in their last meeting on Feb. 16, 2007 in Albuquerque. The Lobos swept doubles play and received victories in singles play from Abou-Zekry, Mackenzie White, Iva Gersic and Lucy Scott. New Mexico has an all-time record 12-0 record against the Lumberjacks.
Strength of Schedule…
Lobos have started out with a very tough schedule. New Mexico has already played four teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year. Six opponents are ranked in the top 50 of the ITA poll and eight finished the 2008 season with winning records. NAU will be the first non-ranked opponent the Lobos have played this season.
National Spotlight…
The Mountain West Conference has five teams in the top 50 on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings. TCU comes in on top at No. 21, next BYU at No. 40, Utah lands at No. 43 and UNLV at No. 49.
Did You Know…
Six of the ten players on the roster are international. Two of the players are native New Mexicans. This past summer all of courts (indoor and out) were resurfaced along with the indoor courts all receiving new hardware. The Lobos have had a winning record for the past 12 years. The Lobos earned a 3.65 GPA for the 2007-2008 school year. Seniors Ola Abou-Zekry, Maria Sotirchos and Mackenzie White all received above a 4.0 for the 2008 fall semester.