SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Following a lengthy rain delay, the UTEP tennis team (4-13) was upended by former Conference USA member UTSA, 4-1, on the road Saturday afternoon.
 
The Miners picked up a win in straight sets from Paloma Hennicaux, but the homestanding Roadrunners (14-6) found a way to get it done on the other courts to remain undefeated in San Antonio (7-0) this year. Hanna Telzynska sustained an injury while playing in doubles and was unable to compete in singles action.
 
"We lost a hard-fought match, 4-1," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "Hanna hurt her back and had to be pulled out of singles lineup. We had chances to in doubles but couldn't get it done. In singles. Palo was our lone win. Zu was three points away from winning. Vero had chances in the second set. This was a good UTSA team."
 
UTSA looked every bit the part of a team that had been nationally ranked earlier in the campaign, having climbed to a program-best 61st midway through the dual season. The Miners weren't intimidated, however, playing hard on every court.
 
In doubles action Veronika Lebisova and Zuzanna Szczepanska were held off by Cassie McLay and Aleksandra Zlatarova, 6-4, at No. 1 singles. Carlotta Mencaglia and Telzynska fell to Fatima Gutierrez and Ekua Youri, 6-1, at No. 2 doubles. UTEP's DeCora Antoine and Elena Dibattista were up, 5-4, against Vittoria Baccino and Magda Tuells at No. 3 doubles when it was halted with the team point decided.
 
Hennicaux took out Eva Beyebach, 7-6, (7-4), 6-3, at the No. 5 position to lead the way for UTEP in singles action. Dibattista battled to the final point before succumbing in three sets against McClay, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2, at No. 3 singles. Emma Stuart came up short against Youri, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 6 singles.
 
Mencaglia was clipped by Zlatarova, 6-3, 6-0, at No. 2 singles. Lebisova battled Gutierrez at No. 1 singles. She was leading 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 1-2, when it went unfinished. Szczepanska's match vs. Baccino also was halted early, with the score at 6-3, 2-6, 6-6, at No. 4 singles.
 
The Orange and Blue will now turn their attention to a season-ending three-match homestand to build momentum for the 2024 CUSA Championships. UTEP will play host to Weatherford College at 10 a.m. MT on Wednesday, face Liberty at 10 a.m. MT on April 12 and challenge I-10 rival NM State on "Senior Day" at 12 p.m. MT on April 14.
 
Tennis Match Results
UTEP vs UTSA
04/06/2024 at San Antonio, Texas
(UTSA Tennis Center)
UTSA 4, UTEP 1
 
Singles competition
1. Fatima Gutierrez (UTSA) vs. Veronika Lebisova (UTEP) 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 1-2, unfinished
2. Aleksandra Zlatarova (UTSA) def. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) 6-3, 6-0
3. Cassie McLay (UTSA) def. Elena Dibattista (UTEP) 6-3, 1-6, 6-2
4. Vittoria Baccino (UTSA) vs. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 6-3, 2-6, 6-6, unfinished
5. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) def. Eva Beyebach (UTSA) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
6. Ekua Youri (UTSA) def. Emma Stuart (UTEP) 6-1, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Cassie McLay/Aleksandra Zlatarova (UTSA) def. Veronika Lebisova/Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 6-4
2. Fatima Gutierrez/Ekua Youri (UTSA) def. Carlotta Mencaglia/Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) 6-1
3. Vittoria Baccino/Magda Tuells (UTSA) vs. DeCora Antoine/Elena Dibattista (UTEP) 4-5, unfinished
 
Match Notes:
UTEP 4-13
UTSA 14-6
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (6,2,5,3)
T-3:00
 

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