UNM Falls in Final Non-Conference Matchup

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — It was another case of clsoer than it looked, but losing the doubles point proved to be UNM’s undoing in a 4-1 loss at Northern Arizona that ended the non-conference portion of the season for New Mexico.  The loss dropped UNM under .500 at 6-7, while Northern Arizona moved to 5-3.

Head coach Vicky Maes shook up the doubles lineup, inserting freshman Coumba Ben Niangadou into No. 2 doubles with Maud Vandeputte, and that pairing played well, pushing to a tiebreaker at 6-6, and 2-2 in the tiebreak.  However, that match got halted as UNM lost at No. 1 and No. 3.  At one, UNM’s top pair of Rebekkah Gaines and Maria Sodre lost 6-1 to Daryna Shoshyna and Elen Jantacova while in a clsoer match at No. 3, UNM’s Sofia Taborga and Maria Matsoukatidi lost 6-4 to Andrea Noguera and Leontina Stojanovic.  That gave NAU a 1-0 lead heading into singles.

In singles, UNM again moved the lineup around, with Maud Vandeputte moving the No. 1 and Gaines dropping down to No. 2.  Additionally, Maria Sodre moved up a slot, flip-flopping at four and five with Matsoukatidi. The changes partially worked as Vandeputte was in her second set looking to force a d third and Matsoukatidi split her two opening sets when NAU clinched the match.  UNM’s singles point came from Sarah O’Connor, who won 6-3, 6-0 over Noguera.  That win moved the match to 2-1 NAU as the ‘Jacks won at No. four with Laura Duhl winning 6-3, 6-2 over Sodre.

UNM couldn’t keep the match going, with Stojanovic winning 6-2, 6-3 over Taborga and Shoshyna winning by the same score over Gaines.

The Lobo have the upcoming weekend off before traveling to open conference play next weekend with matches at Wyoming and Colorado State.