ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- The Lobos have put non-conference play to bed and are now heading into Mountain West play with a 9-4 record and what looks like a stacked conference. The Lobos open league play with a pair of home matches, taking on UNLV on Friday at noon and Nevada on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Both matches are taking place at McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium. Fans should note that, due to the NMAA Basketball Tournament at The Pit - Powered by Nusenda, tennis fans are asked to park in Baseball South to avoid paying for parking.
The Lobos split last weekend, taking down UC Riverside 4-0 before losing to Cal State Fullerton 4-1. The Lobos are 9-4 overall, but it's three other teams that are ranked in the ITA Top 75 this week. San Diego State is No. 25, Grand Canyon is No. 57, and Boise State is No. 68.
UNLV, which is not ranked, is 7-2 on the season, and Nevada is 4-5.
The Lobos have been catching teams in doubles, winning six straight doubles points. Bente Vandeputte and Yu Yun "Kathy" Tsai have won eight straight, the last of which was Vandeputte's 100th career combined win.
The Lobos have been missing two key pieces of their lineup, Lea Malazdra and Ana Veroux, and both could return this week. The Lobos have done well in non-conference play, especially over the last three weeks, with four freshmen and a sophomore in the singles lineup.
One freshman, Vivica Corley, has won three straight matches at No. 6 singles, and five straight in doubles, teaming with twin sister Vianca.