TUCSON, Ariz. – Veronika Lebisova and Thassane Abrahim each notched wins in singles and Zuzanna Szczepanska and Elena Dibattista joined up for a victory in doubles in the UTEP tennis team's 5-2 setback against Ivy league member Penn in a neutral-site match-up on Monday.
 
"This was another hard-fought match," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "We had a lot of opportunities but couldn't get it done. The energy and intensity that we showed today was impressive. We keep learning and getting better with each match. I know this tide will turn soon and these matches will start to go our way."
 
The Miners (2-8) received a 6-3 triumph at No. 3 doubles behind Szczepanska and Dibattistata over Juliana Munhoz and Gavriella Smith, but the Quakers (8-2) snagged wins at the other two courts on the way to taking the early lead in the match. Iris Gallo and Maya Urata held off Carlotta Mencaglia and Eve Daniels, 6-4, at No. 2 doubles. Lebisova and Abrahim were knocked off by Eileen Wang/Sabine Rutlauka, 6-0, at No. 1 singles.
 
UTEP was competitive in singles action but couldn't find enough wins to post a come-from-behind victory. Abrahim displayed her mental toughness in grinding out a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, victory against Urata at No. 4 single. Lebisova also had to work for her win, dropping the first set at No. 2 singles to Wang, 6-3. She struck back to stake the final two sets, 6-4, 6-3, for the impressive victory.
 
Mencaglia went down fighting at No. 1 singles against Smith by a final score of 6-1, 2-6, 6-4. It was a similar story for Szczepanska at No. 3 singles where she was edged out in three sets by Munhoz, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6.
 
Dibattista was clipped by Gallo, 7-5, 6-2, at No. 5 singles while Paloma Hennicaux came up short to Saige Roshkoff, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 6 singles.
 
Tennis Match Results
Pennsylvania vs UTEP
Mar 06, 2023, at Tucson, Ariz.
Pennsylvania 5, UTEP 2
 
Singles competition
1. Gavriella Smith (PENN) def. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
2. Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) def. Eileen Wang (PENN) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
3. Juliana Munhoz (PENN) def. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 2-6, 6-2, 7-6
4. Thassane Abrahim (UTEP) def. Maya Urata (PENN) 7-5, 3-6, 6-2
5. Iris Gallo (PENN) def. Elena Dibattista (UTEP) 7-5, 6-2
6. Saige Roshkoff (PENN) def. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Eileen Wang/Sabine Rutlauka (PENN) def. Veronika Lebisova/Thassane Abrahim (UTEP) 6-0
2. Iris Gallo/Maya Urata (PENN) def. Carlotta Mencaglia/Eve Daniels (UTEP) 6-4
3. Zuzanna Szczepanska/Elena Dibattista (UTEP) def. Juliana Munhoz/Gavriella Smith (PENN) 6-3
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,5,1,3,2,4)
 
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