EL PASO, Texas – After a lengthy stretch on the road, the UTEP tennis team (1-8) returns home for a pair of matches this weekend. The Miners will play host to Abilene Christian (2-4) at 10 a.m. MT Friday and challenge LA Tech (8-4) in their Conference USA opener at 10 a.m. MT Saturday. Both matches will be held at the El Paso Tennis Club, with admission free of charge.
"We are focused and ready for two great matches this weekend," UTEP head coach
Ivan Fernandez said. "While the weather hasn't really cooperated with us this week, we have taken advantage of every opportunity to get better. I believe that we are just one match away from turning this season around."
The Orange and Blue haven't been home in three weeks, having had five straight matches (four road, one neutral) outside of the Sun City. UTEP has tasted victory in El Paso this season, which should give it some confidence in facing both the Wildcats and Bulldogs.
The Miners have been balanced in picking up victories in singles action since the onset of dual play.
Carlotta Mencaglia paces the team with a trio of triumphs while
Elena Dibattista,
Paloma Hennicaux and
Hanna Telzynska all have produced two victories.
Mencaglia and Telzynska have teamed up in doubles action to serve as the most effective pairing, piling up five wins at No. 2 doubles.
Veronika Lebisova and
Zuzanna Szczepanska have tasted victory on a pair of occasions.
This marks the second straight season that the Miners will face LA Tech, but unlike in 2022-23, UTEP will have the comfort of competing on its home courts. ACU, meanwhile, is venturing to El Paso for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.
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