HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The UTEP tennis team (3-10) won the doubles point and got a victory in singles from Elena Dibattista, but Valparaiso (8-6) did enough to slip past the Miners, 4-2, in a neutral-site match Tuesday.
 
UTEP was vying for its second straight win and third in the past four matches, but it wasn't in the cards.
 
"We played singles again without Carlotta (Mencaglia), but we won the doubles point and had chances on a lot of courts in singles. We just didn't play consistent enough to pull this match out today. We are going to have to play a lot better to beat Sam Houston tomorrow."
 
Things got off to a good start with the Orange and Blue staking the doubles point after triumphs on two of the three courts. Hanna Telzynska and Carlotta Mencaglia snuck past Sydney Stone and Jolene Fernandes, 7-6, at the No. 2 position. DeCora Antoine and Dibattista blasted Mia Bertino and Elizabeth Sobieski, 6-1, at No. 3 doubles.  Zuzanna Szczepanska and Veronika Lebisova nearly made it three for three, but the duo was edged by Olivia Czerwonka and Moira Silva, 7-6, at No. 1 singles.
 
The Miners still had that momentum heading into singles action, but Valpo would rally. Dibattista, who finished undefeated on the day, provided the bright spot by bouncing Bertino in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, at No. 3 singles. Szczepanska sustained a three-set defeat vs. Fernandes, with the final count of 6-1, 1-6, 6-4, going against her at No. 4 singles.
 
Paloma Hennicaux was upended by Sobieski, 7-5, 6-2, at No. 5 singles while Emma Stuart came up shy vs. Stone, 6-2, 7-6, at No. 6 singles. Telzynska was tripped up, 6-2, 6-4, by Czerwonka at No. 2 singles. Lebisova's match at No. 1 singles went unfinished.
 
UTEP will vie to regain its winning ways when it steps back inside CUSA play for a 10 a.m. MT/11 a.m. road tilt against Sam Houston Wednesday.
 
Tennis Match Results
Valparaiso vs UTEP
Mar 12, 2024 at Huntsville, texas
Valparaiso 4, UTEP 2
 
Singles competition
1. Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) vs. Moira Silva (VALPO) 2-6, 6-1, 3-4, unfinished
2. Olivia Czerwonka (VALPO) def. Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) 6-2, 6-4
3. Elena Dibattista (UTEP) def. Mia Bertino (VALPO) 6-4, 6-1
4. Jolene Fernandes (VALPO) def. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 6-1, 1-6, 6-4
5. Elizabeth Sobieski (VALPO) def. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) 7-5, 6-2
6. Sydney Stone (VALPO) def. Emma Stuart (UTEP) 6-2, 7-6
 
Doubles competition
1. Olivia Czerwonka/Moira Silva (VALPO) def. Zuzanna Szczepanska/Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) 7-6
2. Hanna Telzynska/Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) def. Sydney Stone/Jolene Fernandes (VALPO) 7-6
3. DeCora Antoine/Elena Dibattista (UTEP) def. Mia Bertino/Elizabeth Sobieski (VALPO) 6-1
 

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Match Notes:
Valparaiso 8-6
UTEP 3-10
 
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