EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP tennis team returns to action this weekend by playing three road matches in as many days in Alabama. The Miners (3-9) will challenge Alabama State (4-7) at 12 p.m. MT/1 p.m. CT Friday, square off at Samford (6-4) at 11 a.m. MT/12 p.m. CT Saturday and wrap up the weekend at Conference USA foe UAB (7-6) at 11 a.m. MT/12 p.m. CT Sunday.
 
The Orange and Blue are looking to build upon a 7-0 drubbing of Weatherford College on "Senior Day" on March 11. They are also aspiring for their initial road victory of the campaign.
 
"We are really looking forward to these three matches in Alabama," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "We have been practicing really hard this week to prepare. We are focused and determined to turn this season around. I am confident that we can get this done."
 
Setting the tone for UTEP are Thassane Abrahim, Veronika Lebisova and Carlotta Mencaglia, with each sporting a team-high tying 10 wins in singles. Abrahim and Mencaglia also lead the squad in dual wins at six apiece while Lebisova and Zuzanna Szczepanska tie for third on the unit with five.
 
The Miners have been even more successful in doubles action where the pairings of Abrahim and Lebisova and Elena Dibattista and Szczepanska both stand 12-8 (6-5 in dual play).
 
The Lady Hornets are 4-7 on the campaign, but they are riding a three-match winning streak. Samford, which will face off against Middle Tennessee on Friday before taking on the Miners, enters the weekend at 6-4. The Bulldogs are a stout 5-2 at home on the season. The Blazers are looking to regain their winning ways, as they have lost back-to-back matches. UAB is, however, undefeated (2-0) at home on the year.
 
Looking ahead, UTEP will have some time off before a visit to LA Tech on April 8. The Miners will then wrap up the weekend by competing at Grambling State on April 9.
 
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), @UTEPTennis (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.