ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The USTA (United States Tennis Association) Junior Fed Cup and Junior Davis Cup teams proved that age is nothing but a number as they defeated the Lobos, 5-2, at the McKinnon Family Tennis Complex on Friday afternoon.
These fifteen and sixteen-year-old competitors may still be in high school, but they are surely experienced on the tennis courts.
The match started with doubles play featuring one men’s match, one women’s match, and one mixed match. UNM’s Gabrielle Otero and Natasha Smith teamed up to take on USTA’s Catherine “CiCi” Bellis (the No. 1 ranked ITF Juniors player) and Tornado Alicia Black (No. 13) in the women’s match. The Lobo duo got off to a rocky start and couldn’t seem to make a come back. Smith and Otero fell to the USTA team, 8-1, to give the young squads an early advantage.
Lobo seniors Samir Iftikhar and James Hignett fell to USTA Jr. Davis Cup competitors Michael Mmoh and William Blumberg, 8-4, to give USTA yet another win. UNM’s Sharon Coone and Rodolfo Jauregui put up a good fight against Gianni Ross and Sonya Kenin, but eventually lost a close match with a final score of 8-7.
“Today was great experience for our players,” head coach Erica Jasper said. “I was a little disappointed in our doubles today–both Gabby and Natasha started off a little too tentative, which we just can’t do against a talented team like that. I thought Sharon Coone really looked solid on the mixed doubles court–and despite the loss, it was fun to see her and Rodolfo out there battling.”
The Lobos tried to turn things around in singles play, but only Iftikhar and Hignett were able to pull of victories. Iftikhar defeated Mmoh, 6-4, 6-2, in an intense match up and Hignett claimed a quick 6-3, 6-1 win over Ross to put the Lobos on the board.
Smith and Jauregui battled in singles, but never found the momentum they needed to keep up with the USTA competitors. Smith fell to Black, 6-2, 6-1, and Jauregui fell to Blumberg, 6-2, 6-4.
Otero and Olivier hung on until the end, but both eventually lost after two sets. Otero faced top junior competitor, Bellis, in a tough match up. Otero showed great physical and mental strength on the court, but fell 6-3, 6-2. Olivier also played with great poise and toughness, but couldn’t seem to take the extra step for the victory. Kenin eventually defeated Olivier, 6-2, 7-5.
“In singles, I was very proud of our effort and fight–hats off to the USTA girls,” Jasper said. “They are excellent competitors and showed why they have had such great results on the international stage. Gabby, Natasha, and Emily all represented our program well tonight and each one of them fought to the end.”
The USTA Jr. squads’ next stop is the Jr. Fed Cup and Jr. Davis Cup finals in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. This unique match served as a great fall season opening event for the Lobo tennis program.
The scores from this match will not count towards the Lobos’ season record.
FULL RESULTS:
Doubles:
1) CiCi Bellis/Alicia Black (UTSA) def. Gabrielle Otero/Natasha Smith (UNM), 8-1
2) Michael Mmoh/William Blumberg (USTA) def. Samir Iftikhar/James Hignett (UNM), 8-4
3) Sonya Kenin/Gianni Ross (USTA) def. Sharon Coone/Rodolfo Jauregui (UNM), 8-7
Singles:
1) Bellis (USTA) def. Otero (UNM), 6-3, 6-2
2) Black (USTA) def. Smith (UNM), 6-2, 6-1
3) Kenin (USTA def. Olivier (UNM), 6-2, 7-5
4) Iftikhar (UNM) def. Mmoh (USTA), 6-4, 6-2
5) Blumberg (USTA) def. Jauregui (UNM), 6-2, 6-4
6) Hignett (UNM) def. Ross (USTA), 6-3, 6-1