ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- Bente Vandeputte was celebrated as UNM's lone senior for Senior Day, but the Lobos only got a singles win from Yu Yun "Kahy" Tsai as the Utah State Aggies spoiled the party with a 4-1 win. The loss dropped UNM to 12-10 overall and 3-6 in the Mountain West, while Utah State moved to 11-8 overall and 5-4 in the league.
The Lobos travel to Boise State for a Sunday match.
The doubles point was tight, but UNM couldn't close things out. The Corley sisters had a 3-1 lead before Natalie Paterova and Sabina Pintea won 12 straight points for a 4-3 lead on the way to a 6-3 win, which clinched the doubles point.
In singles, Tsai got UNM on the board with a thorough 6-0, 6-3 win over Pintea at No. 2 singles, but that was UNM's only win.
Maria Garcia won 6-2, 6-3 over Ana Veroux, and Magdal Pureco won 6-1, 6-4 over Ramona Petre, as UNM slid most of the lineup up a spot with normal No. 2 Vianca Corley sitting out singles.
Vandeputte looked to be in good shape with a 6-2 opening set win, but she was forced to a third. Lea Malazdra forced a third, and Marika Matsoukatidi staved off a pair of match points off-serve to keep things going, but Vandeputte eventually fell 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 for the match.