EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP tennis team (1-1) was upended by Tarleton State, 6-1, at the El Paso Tennis Club Friday. Paloma Hennicaux took care of business in singles play while Carlotta Mencaglia and Hanna Telzynska cruised to a victory in doubles action to lead the way.
 
It was a competitive contest despite the final score, with four of the six matches in singles going to three sets. That included Hennicaux, who rallied past Maretha Burger for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, triumph at No. 6 singles. Mencaglia and Telzynska blasted Elsa Boisson and Noelia Lorca, 6-1, at the No. 2 doubles position.
 
TSU, the 2023 No. 2 seed in the WAC, managed to emerge victorious in the other matches on the day.
 
"While we fought hard today, Tarleton fought harder and got us on all but one doubles and one singles match," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "The overall match score doesn't really capture how close some of these matches were. I hope today was a good learning experience that they can put into action tomorrow when we face another uphill challenge."
 
While the Miners got a good performance at No. 2 doubles, the Texans claimed the team point and early lead with wins in No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Zuzanna Szczepanska and Elena Dibattista were dispatched at the top spot by Martha Makantasi and Burger, 6-1. Veronika Lebisova and Hennicaux were held off by Emma Persson and Clara Sobius, 6-3, at the third slot.
 
UTEP put up quite the fight in singles, aiming to rally for the team triumph. Hennicaux did her part by gutting out the three-set victory. Mencaglia took the first set against Persson, but the TSU player struck back to pull out the 3-6, 6-3, 6-0, victory at No. 1 singles. Dibattista also went down to the wire before being tripped up by a final count of 1-6, 7-5, 6-2, vs. Lorca at No. 5 singles.
 
Telzynska also surged out ahead vs. Clara Sobius only to ultimately fall, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 4 singles. Lebisova battled but couldn't get past Boisson in a 6-4, 7-5, setback at No. 2 singles. Szczepanska went down swinging, 6-3, 6-3, against Makantasi at the third position.
 
The Miners will try to regroup and get back into the win column when they play host to Weber State at 10 a.m. MT Saturday. 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), @UTEPTennis (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiNners.com.
 
Tennis Match Results
Tarleton State vs UTEP
Jan 26, 2024 at El Paso, Texas
(El Paso Tennis Club)
Tarleton State 6, UTEP 1
 
Singles competition
1. Emma Persson (TSU) def. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) 3-6, 6-3, 6-0
2. Elsa Boisson (TSU) def. Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) 6-4, 7-5
3. Martha Makantasi (TSU) def. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 6-3, 6-3
4. Clara Sobius (TSU) def. Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
5. Noelia Lorca (TSU) def. Elena Dibattista (UTEP) 1-6, 7-5, 6-2
6. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) def. Maretha Burger (TSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
 
Doubles competition
1. Martha Makantasi/Maretha Burger (TSU) def. Zuzanna Szczepanska/Elena Dibattista (UTEP) 6-1
2. Carlotta Mencaglia/Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) def. Elsa Boisson/Noelia Lorca (TSU) 6-1
3. Emma Persson/Clara Sobius (TSU) def. Veronika Lebisova/Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) 6-3
 
Match Notes:
Tarleton State 1-0
UTEP 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,1,2,6,4,5)