EL PASO, Texas – Paloma Hennicaux posted a victory in straight sets while two other Miners were up a set in singles play, but the UTEP tennis team (6-5, 0-2 CUSA) had its two-match winning streak stopped in a 4-1 setback against Conference USA foe WKU (13-6, 2-1 CUSA) at the El Paso Tennis Club Wednesday afternoon.
 
Hennicaux claimed her third consecutive singles match with a 6-1, 6-1, dismantling of Sunskrithi Damera at No. 4 singles. Freshly-minted CUSA women's tennis Athlete of the Week Carlotta Mencaglia was up, 7-6, 3-3, at No. 1 singles vs. Rachel Hermanova when the match was halted. It was the same story for Hanna Telzynska at No. 3 singles against Mia Miranda. She led 6-4, 3-4, before it too went unfinished with clinch format in place.
 
WKU emerged triumphant in the other matches on the day, except for No. 2 doubles. That too, did not conclude.  
 
"Our energy wasn't there in the doubles at all, and it showed in the scores," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "In the singles we fought hard where we could. Palo played very solid, and she got the win. Lotti and Hanna were both up in their singles matches but with these medical issues we are dealing with, we need to play perfectly to win in these situations. Today just wasn't our day, but we will bounce back."
 
Action commenced in doubles where Emily Schut and Mia Miranda defeated Mencaglia and Hanna Telzynska, 6-0, at the top slot. Hennicaux and DeCora Antoine were derailed by Damera and Mariana Zegada, 6-1, at No. 3 doules.
 
The Miners tried to rally in singles, but they simply ran out of steam. Hennicaux did her part with the win in straight sets. Candice Bernier came up short, 3-1, retired, against Sofia Blanco at No. 2 singles. Valeria Correño Torres was upended, 6-2, 6-4, by Mariana Zegada, at court No. 5. Antoine went down swinging as she was held off by Schut, 6-1, 6-3.  
 
The Orange and Blue will now venture to the Eastern Time Zone for two matches in as many days on the campus of Liberty. UTEP will challenge Middle Tennessee in a neutral-site match at 11 a.m. MT/1 p.m. ET Saturday before facing the host Flames at 11 a.m. MT/1 p.m. ET Sunday. The Miners then wrap up the stretch of four consecutive conference matches when they challenge Sam Houston on "Senior Day" at 12 p.m. MT on April 6.
                                                                                                    
Tennis Match Results
Western Kentucky vs UTEP
Mar 19, 2025 at El Paso, Texas
(El Paso Tennis Club)
Western Kentucky 4, UTEP 1
 
Singles competition
1. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) vs. Rachel Hermanova (WKU) 7-6, 3-3, unfinished
2. Sofia Blanco (WKU) def. Candice Bernier (UTEP) 3-1, retired
3. Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) vs. Mia Miranda (WKU) 6-4, 3-4, unfinished
4. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) def. Sunskrithi Damera (WKU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Mariana Zegada (WKU) def. V. Carreño Torres (UTEP) 6-2, 6-4
6. Emily Schut (WKU) def. DeCora Antoine (UTEP) 6-1, 6-3
 
Doubles competition
1. Emily Schut/Mia Miranda (WKU) def. Carlotta Mencaglia/Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) 6-0
2. Candice Bernier/V. Carreño Torres (UTEP) vs. Sofia Blanco/Rachel Hermanova (WKU) 2-5, unfinished
3. Sunskrithi Damera/Mariana Zegada (WKU) def. Paloma Hennicaux/DeCora Antoine (UTEP) 6-1
 
Match Notes:
Western Kentucky 13-6
UTEP 6-5
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (2,6,4,5)
 
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