Lobos Drop Consolation of ITA Kickoff Classic

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The University of New Mexico fell in the consolation match of the ITA Kickoff Classic, losing to No. 20 South Carolina. The Lobos, while losing 4-0, fared better on Saturday, takinga  doubles match and battling in singles as well.

While UNM lost the doubles point, the Lobos lost it 2-1 as after UNM dropped No. 3 doubles, the Lobos’ top team of Rebekkah Gaines and Maria Sodre picked up a 6-2 win over Sarah Hamner and Lauren Friedman.  While that doubles team is unranked, Hamner is ranked in the top 20 in doubles with a different partner.  UNM lost the doubles point eventually when Maud Vandeputte and Sofia Taborga lost 6-3 to Olympe Lancelot and Kaitlyn Carnicella at No. 2.

From there the match went to singles, and while South Carolina took three singles matches, UNM made the No. 20 Gamecocks work for it.  South Carolina won matches at Nos 1, 3, and 5 singles, but Maud Vandeputte at No. 2 was two break-points from a 5-3 lead in her opening set before eventually falling 6-4, and Maria Matsoukatidi lost her first set 7-5 but was up 2-1 in the second when the match was halted.

The Lobos will make the cross country flight home before hosting three matches this weekend, taking on Western New Mexico and CSU Pueblo on Friday at 10 am and 1:30 pm and then Gonzaga on Saturday at 11 am.