ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico women’s tennis team (3-1) plays three matches at home this weekend beginning with No. 51 Houston on Thursday at 4 p.m. MT at the Linda Estes Tennis Center.
The Lobos’ weekend-opening match against the Cougars will undoubtedly be challenging as UH head coach Patrick Sullivan is bringing a lineup including three ITA nationally ranked singles players (Despoina Vogasari (No. 21), Elena Kordolaimi (No. 52), and Angela Lorenzo (Tied at No. 106)). Thursday’s match will also serve as Staff and Faculty Appreciation Night for the UNM Athletic Department.
The Lobos will hit the courts again on Friday evening to take on conference rival Nevada for their first Mountain West match of the season. Head coach Guillaume Tonelli will be bringing a lineup hungry to defeat the Lobos as UNM took down the Wolf Pack last season 4-2 in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
Friday’s match is also expected to have a great turnout, as it is UNM Fraternity and Sorority Night.
UNM will close out the weekend with a match against No. 70 ranked North Texas on Superbowl Sunday, Feb. 1. The Lobos fell to the Mean Green on the road last season in a tough 5-2 match, so UNM will be fighting for revenge. UNT has only one ITA ranked player with Kamilla Gaileva coming in at No. 113.
“This is another tough weekend of matches for us,” head Coach Erica Jasper said. “All three teams coming in are very good and well coached. We’ll need to play exceptionally physical and inspired tennis for each match to put ourselves in position this week. I’ve been really happy with our practices this week especially our focus, so I am excited to compete again!”
There will be live scoring for every match at: lobos.statbroadcast.com
Twitter: @UNMWomenTennis | Facebook: Facebook.com/UNM.Women.Tennis | Instagram: newmexicowtennis
UNM vs No. 51 Houston – Thursday, January 29 @ 4 p.m. mT
Head Coach: Patrick Sullivan
Mascot: Cougars
Conference: American Athletic Conference
Season Record: 2-2
ITA Team Ranking: No. 51
ITA Ranked Players:
Despoina Vogasari (No. 21 singles)
Elena Kordolaimi (No. 52 singles)
Angela Lorenzo (No. T-106 singles)
UNM vs Nevada – Friday, January 30 @ 4 p.m. MT
Head Coach: Guillaume Tonelli
Mascot: Wolf Pack
Conference: Mountain West Conference
Season Record: 1-1
UNM vs No. 70 North Texas- Sunday, February 1 @ 10 a.m. MT
Head Coach: Sujay Lama
Associate Head Coach: Jeff Hammond
Mascot: Mean Green
Conference: Conference USA
Season Record: 0-3
ITA Team Ranking: 70
ITA Ranked Players:
Kamilla Gaileva (No. 113 singles)