January 29, 2014
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico’s Natasha Smith has been named the Mountain West Women’s Tennis Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 22-28 as announced by the conference on Wednesday. This is the first MW award of Smith’s career.
Smith earned the honor after picking up a 4-0 overall record in the Lobo’s season-opening weekend. No. 4 Smith defeated UT-San Antonio’s Alena Shickova 6-2, 6-4 in her first dual match and went on to beat Houston’s Charlotte Phillips, 7-6, 6-0, the following day. She also went 2-0 in doubles play over the weekend with teammate Meredith Hopson.
“We feel very fortunate to have Natasha Smith as a Lobo,” Head Coach Erica Jasper said. “Natasha has a huge game and has become a physical presence on the court. A tremendous leader and communicator, Natasha is a vital part of our success, and we will look to her to push the underclassmen when the going gets tough.”
While Smith is a junior with two years of college tennis experience to her name, this is her first year competing as a Lobo. Smith transferred to UNM from the University of Utah at the end of last season.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has Smith and teammate Dominique Dulski ranked at No. 4 in the Mountain Region Doubles rankings. Smith and Dulski earned this ranking after having a successful fall season in doubles. The duo advanced to the semifinals of the ITA Mountain Regionals in Oct.
The program can expect a great season from Smith.