Lobos Head to Virginia for ITA Kickoff Classic
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — School is back in session at The University of New Mexico, and a very difficult lesson lies ahead of the UNM Women’s Tennis team. The squad, coming off a Mountain West regular season title and a 19-3 record last year, faces a difficult opening task, earning its way into the presigious ITA Kickoff Classic in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Lobos will face No. 9 Virginia on Friday at 11 am Mountain Time, and then either No. 11 Duke or No. 20 South Carolina on Saturday at either 1:30 pm or 4 pm Mountain Time.
The match for UNM is the season opener, while Virginia is already 4-0 on the season. Most recently, the Cavs are coming off a 4-3 victory over No. 9 North Carolina. Virginia has five players in singles nationally-ranked (including four in the top 59) and three doubles teams ranked, including the nation’s No. 2 team of Elaine Chervinsky and Melodie Collard. UNM’s second day opponents are also unbeaten early on in 4-0 Duke and 2-0 South Carolina.
The Lobos did lose three key cogs from its 19-3 team of a year ago, a team that finished the year No. 75 in the national rankings. The Lobos do return five key players from its championship run, all seniors. Maria Sodre led the team in wins in the Fall season with six and is looking to take a bigger role for the team in her fourth season. Sarah O’Connor has been a veteran presence in the lineup for four years, and will be looked upon to be somewhere near the top of the ladder for the Lobos.
Also back are twins Maud and Bente Vandeputte. Maud last season was second on the team in overall wins with 21 in singles and 18 in doubles, and her 16 dual wins were tops on the team. Bente won 26 matches in her first season with the team and both will be looked upon to shoulder singles and doubles responsibilities. Sofia Taborga won seven matches a year ago, making the most of her spring opportunities, and senior Allison Romero won a fall title at the Bedford Cup and has shown to be a reliabe option for singles and doubles over the years.
The Lobos have added two newcomers in Florida A&M transfer Rebekkah Gaines and freshman Maria Matsoukatidi. Gaines was a two-time All-SWAC pick and turned in a winning record in the fall in limited action, and Matsoukatidi was second on the team in wins in the fall in her first foray into collegiate tennis.
The Lobos, after the ITA Opening Weekend, will return home for the first of five straight at home over the next two weekends, hosting Western New Mexico and CSU Pueblo on Saturday, February 1 before hosting Gonzaga on February 2. The following weekend will see UNM host Colorado and Weber State.
All matches of the ITA Kickoff Weekend will be streamed via www.golobos.com/watchwtennis.