BOISE, Idaho – Carlotta Mencaglia cruised to a win in straight sets and Thassane Abrahim and Veronika Lebisova picked up a triumph in doubles to highlight the action for the UTEP tennis team in a 6-1 setback at Boise State Saturday. The Miners (1-5) battled in doubles before the Broncos (5-2) took the point and then couldn't put together a rally in singles action.
 
"This was a solid Boise State team," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "We were not able to remain competitive on too many courts to make it a closer match. I believe that our focus has to improve in order to play our way through some of these tougher teams. It's a learning process, and I know that we will get better."
 
In doubles play, UTEP's tandem of Abrahim and Lebisova knocked off Nicole Discenza and Lorelyz Marruffo, 6-4, at the No. 1 position. BSU claimed the other two matches to secure the early lead in the contest.
 
Eve Daniels and Mencaglia were held off, 6-3, at the No. 2 position, by Joana Baptista and Holly Stewart. Elena Dibattista and Zuzanna Szczepanska were upended by Pauline Ernstberger and Shauna Heffernan, 6-2, at No. 3 doubles.
 
Mencaglia was in solid form in rolling past Marruffo, 6-4, 6-3, at No 2 singles. Daniels went down swinging to Bhakti Shah, 6-4, 6-4, at No. 6 singles.
 
Lebisova battled before succumbing at the top spot to Ernstberger, 6-3, 6-4. Abrahim was tripped up by Baptista, 6-3, 6-0, at No. 4 singles.
 
Szczepanska fell at No. 3 singles to Stewart, 6-3, 6-1 while Dibattista was clipped by Heffernan, 6-2, 6-0, at No. 5 singles.
 
UTEP will look to get back on track with a neutral match-up with NAIA program the College of Idaho (1-1) at 10 a.m. MT Sunday. Following that match, the Miners will be back in the Sun City for a four-match homestand. It starts against UIW at 12 p.m. MT Friday.
 
UTEP will also challenge Northern Arizona (10 a.m.-Feb. 18), Abilene Christian (10 a.m.-Feb. 25) and New Mexico (10 a.m.-Feb. 26). The match with the Lobos will serve as the "915 contest" for the Orange and Blue. Each of the matches will be held at the El Paso Tennis Center, and admission is free.
 
Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club. Visit https://pickaproject.utep.edu/g/athletics today!
 
For complete coverage of UTEP tennis, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPWTennis (Twitter), @UTEP_Tennis (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.
 
Tennis Match Results
UTEP vs Boise State
 
Feb 11, 2023 at Boise, Idaho
Boise State 6, UTEP 1
 
Singles competition
1. Pauline Ernstberger (BSU) def. Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) 6-3, 6-4
2. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) def. Lorelyz Marruffo (BSU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Holly Stewart (BSU) def. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 6-3, 6-1
4. Joana Baptista (BSU) def. Thassane Abrahim (UTEP) 6-3, 6-0
5. Shauna Heffernan (BSU) def. Elena Dibattista (UTEP) 6-2, 6-0
6. Bhakti Shah (BSU) def. Eve Daniels (UTEP) 6-4, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Thassane Abrahim/Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) def. Nicole Discenza/Lorelyz Marruffo (BSU) 6-4
2. Joana Baptista/Holly Stewart (BSU) def. Eve Daniels/Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) 6-3
3. Pauline Ernstberger/Shauna Heffernan (BSU) def. Elena Dibattista/Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 6-2
 
Match Notes:
UTEP 1-5
Boise State 5-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,4,5,2,1,6)