NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The UTEP tennis team won four of six singles matches vs. Youngstown State while taking a trio of doubles matches against Pacific in a strong opening day of play at the CSUN Invitational Friday. Candice Bernier, Carlotta Mencaglia, Hanna Telzynska and Zuzanna Szczepanska all secured wins in singles.

"We played well today," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "We normally have a hard time adjusting to being back at sea level, but we fought through it by winning three of our four singles matches vs. Youngstown State in three sets. In doubles, we kept the momentum going vs pacific by winning all three doubles. We know we have two more tough days of matches ahead of us, but I'm very proud of the team on day one."

Telzynska downed Line Greyling in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (4). The other three Miners' victories in singles required three sets. Szczepanska rallied past Ghada Dirninger, 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-4. Mencaglia held on for a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, vanquishing of Yeseniia Ovcharova. Bernier bested Lili Minich, 7-5, 5-7, 6-0, leaving no doubt in the third and final set.
 
Wendy Zhang was held off by Yoana Dudova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, while Paloma Hennicaux fell by a final count of 6-0, 6-3, against Lorena Cedeno.
 
UTEP then turned its attention to doubles play where it finished a perfect 3-0 vs. Pacific. Telzynska and Mencaglia produced a 7-5 triumph vs. Milena Maiorova and Megan Carmichael. Szczepanska and Zhang cruised past Indiya Mcleod and Nahreen Cheam, 6-2. Bernier and Hennicaux put the finishing touches of the domination with a 7-6 win against Leyanne Hirota and Maggie Hoe.
 
The Miners will look to stay hot at the event on Saturday, with play getting underway at 9 a.m. MT/10 a.m. MT.
 
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