LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Vanessa Valdez picked up a win in singles while UTEP also had a victory in doubles action on the opening day of the ITA Mountain Regional Tournament Wednesday.
"We had our ups and downs today," UTEP head coach
Ivan Fernandez said. "We had some opportunities but could not capitalize on them. Thássane (Abrahim) and Erandi (Martinez) got a solid win in doubles but the No. 1 star today was Vanessa (Valdez) getting a solid win over UNLV in the top flight. We need to regroup and come out fighting tomorrow."
The tournament commenced with doubles action.
Erandi Martinez and Thássane Abrahim drilled Sandra Keta/Synclair Larson (Northern Colorado), 8-1, to advance in the main draw of doubles play. Valdez and
Maria Aveiga fell, 6-3 retired, against Ana Fernandez/ Ana Royo (Wyoming). Lina Sáchica and
Eve Daniels were tripped up, 8-0, by Antonia Balzert/Maria Campos (Colorado).
Valdez showed off her resiliency by rallying past Connie Li (UNLV) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Sáchica was upended by No. 2 seed TJ Famagalli (Air Force), 6-2, 6-1. Martinez fell, 6-3, 6-1, to Balzert (Colorado).
Megan Poe (Idaho State) snuck past Daniels, 6-4, 6-4. A similar fate befell Abrahim in the match vs. Renata Lombera (Utah State), with the final count of 6-4, 6-3.
Kathleen Percegona was clipped by Cali Fuller (Weber State), 6-2, 6-0.
The Miners will continue action at the tournament on Thursday.
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