UNLV Defeats UNM 4-0

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The New Mexico Lobo women’s tennis team knew it had a tough opening weekend, and opposing UNLV proved its mettle, winning 4-0 to hand UNM a second straight MW defeat to open conference play.  UNM dropped to 7-4 overall and 0-2 in the league while UNLV moved to 10-1 and 2-0 in the conference.

The Lobos return home for their final two home matches (and just the second and third of the season) this weekend, hosting Air Force at 1 p.m. on Friday and then Fresno State on Sunday at 11 am.  That match would normally be senior day, but UNM has no seniors, nor any freshmen.

On Sunday, UNLV took the doubles point, winning the final two doubles matches, although both were close, with Leonie Hoppe and Katherine Jhang losing 6-3 at No. 1 and Maud Vandeputte and Hsuan Huang losing at No. 2 6-4.  UNM took the opening doubles set at No. 3 as Sarah O’Connor and Maria Sodre won 6-4, but UNM couldn’t get the second win it needed.

In singles, UNLV won all six opening sets, and then finished it off with wins at Nos. 1, 3 and 6 singles.  Jhang was in a position to tie her match up at one set apiece when the match ended, and Vandeputte was likewise at No. 4 singles.  Huang was just starting her fifth set when the clinch occured.

NOTES: On Saturday, McKinnon will host Air Force and Fresno State in a neutral match … Vnadeputte’s halted match left her unbeaten at 6-0 in the spring … UNM’s three doubles losses were one more than the entire team suffered in the first 10 dual matches (24-2).