EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP tennis team made quick work of Division II Western New Mexico in a 7-0 spring season-opening romp at the El Paso Tennis Club Saturday afternoon.
 
The Miners (1-0) won every match contested on the day to cruise past the Mustangs (0-1).
 
"We played a solid match today," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "We had some nerves to get under control but managed to win all our matches against a much-improved Western New Mexico team. We are glad to get this match done, and we are ready to keep improving this spring."
 
Action initiated in doubles play where it was evident early that UTEP was ready to roll. Zuzanna Szczepanska and Elena Dibattista blasted Emily Wang and Ana Montero, 6-0, at the top spot. Paloma Hennicaux and DeCora Antoine waxed Andreea Arnautu and Gabriella Bloomberg, 6-1, at No. 3 doubles while Carlotta Mencaglia and Hanna Telzynska held off Livia Leite and Mann-Ning Li, 6-4, at No. 2 for good measure.
                                                                                                  
Antoine dropped a double bagel on Gabriella Bloomberg, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 6 singles to set the tone for the Orange and Blue for individual action. Mencaglia nailed Leite, 6-0, 6-3, at No. 1 singles while Szczepanska cruised past Caini Wang, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2 singles.
 
Dibattista ousted Montero, 6-4, 6-1, at No. 4 singles and Hennicaux struck down Arnautu, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 5 singles. Telzynska capped the match by rallying for the victory. She dropped the first set, 6-3, before equaling things up with a 6-0 triumph in the second set. The freshman went on to win the tiebreaker with the team outcome decided.
 
UTEP will continue its four-match home slate to commence dual play with upcoming contests against Tarleton State (10 a.m., Jan. 26), Weber State (10 a.m., Jan. 27) and UT Arlington (12 p.m., Feb. 7). Each match will be at the El Paso Tennis Club, and admission will be free.
 
Tennis Match Results
Western New Mexico vs UTEP
Jan 20, 2024 at El Paso, Texas
(El Paso Tennis Club)
UTEP 7, Western New Mexico 0
Singles competition
1. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) def. Livia Leite (WNMU) 6-0, 6-3
2. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) def. Caini Wang (WNMU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) def. Mann-Ning Li (WNMU) 3-6, 6-0, 1-0
4. Elena Dibattista (UTEP) def. Ana Montero (WNMU) 6-4, 6-1
5. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) def. Andreea Arnautu (WNMU) 6-4, 6-2
6. DeCora Antoine (UTEP) def. Gabriella Bloomberg (WNMU) 6-0, 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. Zuzanna Szczepanska/Elena Dibattista (UTEP) def. Emily Wang/Ana Montero (WNMU) 6-0
2. Carlotta Mencaglia/Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) def. Livia Leite/Mann-Ning Li (WNMU) 6-4
3. Paloma Hennicaux/DeCora Antoine (UTEP) def. Andreea Arnautu/Gabriella Bloomberg (WNMU) 6-1

Match Notes:
Western New Mexico 0-1
UTEP 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,1,4,2,5,3)
 

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