PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – University of New Mexico doubles team Natasha Smith and Dominique Dulski lost a tight 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 match to Miami’s Stephanie Wagner and Lina Lileikite in the second round of qualifying doubles play at the 2014 Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships on Wednesday afternoon.
“Natasha and Dominique were unbelievable close to earning the win today,” associate head coach Kelcy McKenna said. “Miami played a great match and we came up just a little short, despite playing some fantastic tennis.”
Smith and Dulski started the match strong and picked up the first set victory 6-4. However, UM responded with a 6-3 win in the second set to even up the score. The Lobos battled until the last point possible, but the Hurricanes gained a slight edge and claimed the final set 10-8 in a tiebreaker to earn the victory and advance in the tournament.
The Lobo duo put on an impressive performance against the Hurricane doubles team consisting of two upperclassmen and two nationally ranked players. While neither opponent is ranked in doubles action, Wagner comes in at No. 18 in ITA preseason singles rankings while Lileikite comes in at No. 71.
Smith and Dulski were the only Lobos still competing at the ITA All-American Championships.
Full Results:
Wagner/Lileikite (UM) def. Smith/Dulski (UNM), 4-6, 6-3, 10-8