EDINBURG, Texas – The UTEP tennis team (1-7) claimed the doubles point, but it was unable to sustain that momentum in singles in a 4-1 setback at UTRGV (4-1) Saturday.
 
Veronika Lebisova and Zuzanna Szczepanska showed that the Miners meant business early on, blasting Kristal Dule and Yaiza Vazquez, 6-1, at No. 1 doubles. Carlotta Mencaglia and Hanna Telzynska held off Marjorie Souza and Lea Karren, 7-5, at No. 2 doubles to lock up the point and early lead. The match involving UTEP's Elena Dibattista and Valeria Carreño Torres vs. Valentina Urraco and Isabelle Bahr went unfinished with clinch format being used.
 
The Vaqueros found a way to rally, however, staking victories at No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 singles to complete the comeback against the Orange and Blue.
 
"We were finally able to win the doubles point, but we got outplayed in the singles," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "UTRGV came in with a lot of confidence after beating Houston and that gave them the advantage today. We fought hard, but our mistakes got the best of us again. We have a lot work to do in order to turn this season around, but I believe in this team. I know that one win can change everything."
 
Mencaglia went toe-to-toe with Souza before falling in three sets, 7-5, 0-6, 6-3, at No. 1 singles. Telzynska couldn't quite put it all together in a 7-5, 6-4, setback vs. Karren at No. 2 singles.
 
Lebisova was held off by Bahr, 7-6, 6-4, at No. 3 singles. Dibattista was bounced by Vazquez, 6-1, 7-5, at No. 4 singles.
 
The other three matches went unfinished due to the usage of clinch format.
 
The Miners will be back in action at I-25 rival New Mexico at 11 a.m. on Feb. 25.
 
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.
 
UTEP vs UTRGV
Feb 17, 2024 at Edinburg, Texas
UTRGV 4, UTEP 1
Singles competition
1. Marjorie Souza (UTRGV) def. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) 7-5, 0-6, 6-3
2. Lea Karren (UTRGV) def. Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) 7-5, 6-4
3. Isabelle Bahr (UTRGV) def. Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) 7-6, 6-4
4. Yaiza Vazquez (UTRGV) def. Elena Dibattista (UTEP) 6-1, 7-5
5. Kristal Dule (UTRGV) vs. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 3-4, unfinished
6. Valentina Urraco (UTRGV) vs. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) 2-4, unfinished
 
Doubles competition
1. Veronika Lebisova/Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) def. Kristal Dule/Yaiza Vazquez (UTRGV) 6-1
2. Carlotta Mencaglia/Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) def. Marjorie Souza/Lea Karren (UTRGV) 7-5
3. Valentina Urraco/Isabelle Bahr (UTRGV) vs. Elena Dibattista/V. Carreño Torres (UTEP) 5-4, unfinished
 
Match Notes:
UTEP 1-7
UTRGV 4-1