LAS VEGAS, Nev. — New Mexico rolled a seven in doubles, taking the doubles point from No. 49 San Diego State, but that was all UNM could muster, as the Aztecs took the first four singles matches to win the conference opener for both teams, taking a 4-1 decision. The Lobos now face host UNLV on Sunday at 2 p.m.. UNLV is 9-1 on the year after a 4-1 win over Air Force.
The Lobos took the doubles point, winning it after a shocking loss at No. 2 doubles, as Maud Vandeputte and Hsuan Huang lost 6-2. It was the first loss of any kind for Vandeputte in nearly four months, and the first for her in the spring season. However, UNM bounced back. Sarah O’Connor and Maria Sodre continued their solid play at No. 3 doubles, winning 6-4, and putting it all at No. 1, where Katherine Jhang and Leonie Hoppe won 7-5, giving UNM a 1-0 lead.
That lead couldn’t hold as SDSU took wins at Nos. 1, 3, 5, and 6 singles for the victory. The clincher was at No. 6, where Andreaa Velcea won 6-4, 6-3 over Sataho Toriumi. Vandeputte was leading her match when the match was halted and Katherin Jhang was also ahead in her match at No. 2 singles as well.