EL PASO, Texas – Coming off a 7-0 drilling of the College of Idaho, the UTEP tennis team will open a four-match homestand by facing UIW at 12 p.m. MT Friday and Northern Arizona at 10 a.m. MT Saturday. Both matches will be held at the El Paso Tennis Club, and admission is free of charge.
 
The Miners (2-5) are 1-2 in the Sun City, including a hard-fought loss to Conference USA foe UTSA on Jan. 27. Previously the Orange and Blue downed Western New Mexico, 7-0, on Jan. 20. It has already been exciting week for UTEP, with Carlotta Mencaglia becoming the first Miner in six years to be named the C-USA Player of the Week.

"We are looking for to this four-match homestand the next two weekends," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "These teams coming in are all strong opponents, but I have full confidence in this group that we can turn this season around. We just need one match where everyone plays well on the same day to turn the tide in our favor. This group has been working hard, and I am hopeful that we will start seeing some more positive results starting tomorrow."

UIW is 4-2 on the season, including riding a four-game winning streak. It is, though, 1-2 away from home. NAU sports a mark of 2-3 and is in search of its first road victory (0-2) of the campaign.
 
Mencaglia will set the tone for UTEP, having recently been elevated to the No. 1 position in singles. She is on a two-match winning streak, including taking out a player from Boise State. Overall, she has compiled a team-high four dual-match triumphs in singles.
 
Thassane Abrahim and Elena Dibattista both have registered three victories in dual play to tie for second on the squad.
 
In doubles action, the pairing of Abrahim and Veronika Lebisova have impressed with a 4-2 mark at No. 1 doubles.
 
Following this weekend, UTEP will challenge Abilene Christian (10 a.m.-Feb. 25) and New Mexico (10 a.m.-Feb. 26) to wrap up the four-match homestand. 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.
 
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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.