ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Lobos are going abroad! Bound for adventure, the University of New Mexico women’s tennis team is headed to Europe for a two-week tour of France and Spain.
Head coach Erica Jasper’s Lobo squad had a successful spring season as they captured UNM’s first-ever Mountain West Championship title and made the program’s first NCAA appearance since 2006.
But now that the Lobos have handled their business on the tennis court, it’s time for them to have some fun.
“We are so excited about our foreign tour to France and Spain,” Jasper said. “It will be an amazing cultural and team building experience. Travel abroad is something that many people never get to do and the fact that we get to take this trip as a team is incredibly special.”
Jasper, associate head coach Kelcy McKenna, and players Susan Baklini, Rachana Bhat, Emily Olivier, Dominique Dulski, Sharon Coone, and Natasha Smith will spend two weeks soaking up new cultures and sharing unforgettable experiences as they make their journey through Paris and Barcelona.
Just to name a few stops on the Lobos’ itinerary: Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dame Cathedral and Towers, Palace of Versailles, Champs Elysees, Jardin de Tuiliries, Place de la Concorde, Pont des Arts, Champ de Mars Garden, the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero Gardens, Palais de Chaillot walk, Camp Nou FC Barcelona Museum, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Olympic and Sports Museum, and Olympic stadium.
But what’s a tennis team trip without some tennis? The Lobos will be training on red clay at various clubs in both Paris and Barcelona and will play two team matches, one in each city, while on the tour. And to top it off, the team will get to attend the 2015 French Open taking place at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris.
The trip was made possible by a generous gift from Tom and Krista Parr.
“We are so appreciative of the gift Tom and Krista Parr have made to make this whole trip possible and also of all the work they have done in the planning of the trip,” Jasper said. “They are tremendous members of our Lobo Tennis family and we are excited that they will be joining us on the tour.”
The Parr’s, who will be joining the team on the European tour, have been some of the Lobos’ greatest supporters the last few seasons.
“We have been very fortunate to be able to travel around the world and experience different cultures,” Tom Parr said. “This trip with the UNM Women’s Tennis Team presents an opportunity to give back. We are very excited to share this experience with the team and watch the players’ reactions to exploring new cultures. Watching the team play matches in France and Spain, along with going to the French Open will be a dream come true.”
Follow the UNM women’s tennis social media pages for updates throughout the Lobos’ European adventure!
Twitter: @UNMWomensTennis | Facebook: Facebook.com/UNM.Women.Tennis | Instagram: newmexicowtennis