EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP tennis team took the doubles point and then claimed five of six matches in singles on the way to a 6-1 vanquishing of Western New Mexico in its home and season opener at the El Paso Tennis Club on Saturday.
 
The Miners (1-0) received singles wins from DeCora Antoine, Candice Bernier, Paloma Hennicaux, Carlotta Mencaglia and Wendy Zhang, each of which came in straight sets.
 
"It was a firm team win today," UTEP associate head coach Joanna Furdyna said. "I'm happy with the overall performance."
 
The Miners set the tone for the contest in doubles, taking all three matches. Szczepanska and Bernier bested Caini Wang and Gabriella Blumberg, 6-2, at the No. 1 position. Mencaglia and Hanna Telzynska eased past Ana Sofia Montero and Emma Lootens-Stael, 6-3, at No. 2 doubles while Zhang and Antoine took out Jenna Kastell and Manon Baudet, 6-2, at the No. 3 slot.
 
The momentum carried into singles. Mencaglia was practically perfect in drilling Wang, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 1 singles. Bernier defeated Andreea Arnautu, 6-0, 6-4, at No. 2 singles.
 
Hennicaux drilled Blumberg, 6-2, 6-0, at No. 3 singles while DeCora Antoine cruised past Baudet, 6-2, 6-4 at No. 6 singles. Zhang upended Kastell, 6-0, 4-6, 1-0 (4) at No. 5 singles. Szczepanska was edged, 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (7) by Lootens-Stael at No. 4 singles.
 
UTEP will shoot for its second victory in as many days when it plays host to former Conference USA rival UTSA at 11 a.m. MT Sunday.
 

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Tennis Match Results
WNMU vs UTEP
Jan 18, 2025 at El Paso, Texas
(El Paso Tennis Club)
UTEP 6, WNMU 1
Singles competition
1. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) def. Caini Wang (WNMU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Candice Bernier (UTEP) def. Andreea Arnautu (WNMU) 6-0, 6-4
3. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) def. Gabriella Blumberg (WNMU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Emma Lootens-Stael (WNMU) def. Zuzanna Szczepanska (UTEP) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0
5. Wendy Zhang (UTEP) def. Jenna Kastell (WNMU) 6-0, 4-6, 1-0
6. DeCora Antoine (UTEP) def. Manon Baudet (WNMU) 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Zuzanna Szczepanska/Candice Bernier (UTEP) def. Caini Wang/Gabriella Blumberg (WNMU) 6-2
2. Carlotta Mencaglia/Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) def. Ana Sofia Montero/Emma Lootens-Stael (WNMU) 6-3
3. Wendy Zhang/DeCora Antoine (UTEP) def. Jenna Kastell/Manon Baudet (WNMU) 6-2