Second Vandeputte Joins Women's Tennis

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After a season in which UNM women’s tennis nearly creeped into the national rankings, despite no freshmen and no seniors, head coach Vicky Maes knew her team could use a few more pieces. This year’s success was, in part, thanks to the great play of transfer Maud Vandeputte. As such, Maes decided to sign another player just like her.

She had only to look at Maud’s twin sister, Bente Vandeputte, who played No. 1 singles and doubles for St. Francis of the Division I Northeast Conference, to enhance her squad. Bente will join the Lobos for the 2023-24 season, and will be a junior with two seasons remaining to play.

Bente Vandeputte already owns 30 career wins in singles at the Division I level, 53 combined overall.  She hit her stride as a sophomore, going 22-10 overall in singles at St. Francis, who went 10-11 in 2023, 3-1 in the NEC.  In this spring’s dual season, Bente accumulated a 16-4 record, going 10-2 at No. 1 singles and 6-2 at No. 2. She was undefeated in conference play, at 4-0.

“I’m thrilled to have Bente join our Lobo family,” said Maes.  “Our team made tremendous strides in 2022-23 , and to bring in a talented player like Bente who already knows the rigors of Division I tennis is a definite plus.  It speaks highly of the program we are building and puts us in a great to position do be competitive in our conference.”