EL PASO, Texas – Elena Dibattista went undefeated with a win in singles and a victory in doubles to lead the way for the Miners on the first day of the UTEP Invitational at the El Paso Tennis Club Friday.
 
"It was a solid first day of competition," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "We were able to win five of 10 total matches played today. Ele (Dibattista) was the only one to go undefeated in both singles and doubles on day one. Vero (Lebisova) was able to continue her winning streak in singles. We still have a lot of improving to do for this weekend. I am counting on them making the corrections tomorrow to hopefully have a better day."
 
The Orange and Blue kicked things off with doubles play. Dibattista and Emma Stuart derailed Rachelle Starreveld and Diana Khaydarshina (Idaho), 6-4. Veronika Lebisova and Zuzanna Szczepanska went down narrowly to Annabel Davis and Ida Johansson (Idaho), 7-5. Carlotta Mencaglia and Hanna Telzynska were held off by Valentina Rodas and Naomi Schraeder (Idaho), 6-4.
 
Lebisova looked to be in midseason form with a 7-6, 6-2, triumph against Davis. The win avenges a three-set setback for Lebisova vs. Davis at the ITA Mountain Regionals on Oct. 18, where Davis had been seeded 16th. Mencaglia also secured a win in straight sets, dropping Khaydarshina, 7-5, 6-4.
 
Dibattista had a gutty performance while squaring off against Starreveld, coming away with the 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, victory. Paloma Hennicaux joined the winning ways with a hard-fought 7-5, 7-6, positive outcome vs. Schraeder.
 
Szczepanska was bested by Selin Sepken, 6-1, 7-6. Telzynska came up shy against Rodas in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 while Stuart was held off by Johansson, 6-4, 6-3.
 
The Orange and Blue will continue play at the invite through the weekend. Action will start at 9 a.m. MT daily.
 
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