EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP tennis team (4-11) won the doubles point and then took care of business in singles as well on the way to dispatching perennial NJCAA power Seward County CC (11-2), 7-0, at the El Paso Tennis Club Friday. The victory halts a 10-match winning streak for Seward, which has finished sixth place or better at the NJCAA Tournament for three consecutive campaigns.  
 
"We got off to a bit of a shaky start in the doubles but were able to win all three," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "In the singles our energy increased, and we played more like what I expected to see today. It was a good win, but we have to play better tomorrow against a strong Middle Tennessee team."
 
Zuzanna Szczepanska and Veronika Lebisova rolled to a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles vs. Emma Petton and Polya Nikolova. Elena Dibattista and DeCora Antoine knocked off Anna Verevska and Camila Corrales, 6-4, at No. 3 doubles. Carlotta Mencaglia and Hanna Telzynska downed the duo of Lara Torres and Alejandra Ramirez, 7-5, at No. 2 doubles.
 
Even though the Orange and Blue claimed the doubles point, they came out with a renewed energy to begin singles action.  Mencaglia made quick work of Nikolova, 6-0, 6-2, at No. 2 singles. Dibattista was even more dominant, drilling Torres, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 5 singles. Paloma Hennicaux followed suit by rocking Verevska, 6-0, 6-1.
 
Szczepanska took out Corrales, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 4 singles. Lebisova was locked in at No. 1 singles with a 6-2, 6-1, vanquishing of Petton. Telzynska put the finishing touches on the day with a 7-5, 7-5, triumph against Ramirez at No. 3 singles.
 
The Miners will aim for their second straight win when they play host to Conference USA member Middle Tennessee at 10 a.m. MT Saturday. Admission for the match is free.
 
Seward County CC vs UTEP
Mar 29, 2024 at El Paso, Texas
(El Paso Tennis Club)
UTEP 7, Seward County CC 0
 
Singles competition
1. Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) def. Emma Petton (SCCC) 6-2, 6-1
2. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) def. Polya Nikolova (SCCC) 6-0, 6-2
3. Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) def. Alejandra Ramirez (SCCC) 7-5, 7-5
4. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) def. Camila Corrales (SCCC) 6-3, 6-2
5. Elena Dibattista (UTEP) def. Lara Torres (SCCC) 6-1, 6-0
6. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) def. Anna Verevska (SCCC) 6-0, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Zuzanna Szczepanska/Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) def. Emma Petton/Polya Nikolova (SCCC) 6-3
2. Carlotta Mencaglia/Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) def. Lara Torres/Alejandra Ramirez (SCCC) 7-5
3. Elena Dibattista/DeCora Antoine (UTEP) def. Anna Verevska/Camila Corrales (SCCC) 6-4
 
Match Notes:
Seward County CC 11-2
UTEP 4-11
 
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