FULLERTON, Calif. --- New Mexico picked up a doubles point and was on the way to a pair of singles wins, but the Titans got three straight set wins in singles and a three-setter at No. 2 for a 4-1 victory. The Lobos closed out the non-conference schedule at 9-4 overall, and will open Mountain West play at home next weekend.
The Lobos took the doubles point with a pair of wins. The Corley sisters won 6-2 at No. 3 doubles, and right afterwards, Bente Vandeputte and Yu Yun "Kathy" Tsai also won 6-2, giving UNM a 1-0 lead.
Singles was a different story, however. The Titans got two victories easily as Milena Gevorgyan won over Ramona Petre 6-0, 6-1, and Amelia Zylberman won 6-2, 6-0 over Tsai at No. 3.
Vandeputte for UNM put up a battle at No. 1. Still, she lost 6-4, 6-3 to Martina Markov to make it 3-1 Cal State Fullerton, but Marika Matsoukatidi was locked even at 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 1-1 in the third set, and Vivica Corley was in a tiebreak, leading 6-4, 6-6. Needed a win from Vianca Corley, she couldn't hold on after a first set win, losing to Emilie Lugon-Moulin 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, ending the match at 4-1.
UNM will come home to host UNLV on Friday at noon and Nevada on Sunday at 11 am, both matches at McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium.
NOTES: The Lobos expect Ana Veroux, who has missed seven matches, to return next week ... Tsai's doubles win was her 16th of the season to lead the team ... Vandeputte leads with 11 doubles wins in the spring ... UNM has taken six straight doubles points and have won 11 of 13 doubles points ... UNM is 25-7 overall in dual matches in doubles.