LYNCHBURG, Va. – The UTEP tennis team (6-6, 0-3 CUSA) was dispatched by Middle Tennessee (11-5, 1-1 CUSA), 5-0, in a neutral-venue match on the campus of Liberty Saturday. The Blue Raiders snagged the early lead with the doubles point before picking up a quartet of triumphs in singles to hold off any rally attempt from the Miners.
 
"It was a tough day today. We had to make three new doubles teams and move everyone up in singles because of the injury issues we are dealing with," UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. "We fought as hard as we could, but it's just not enough. I am proud of this group for the heart they are showing. They are really battling as much as possible. Palo was the only one to win a set today. We have another tough match tomorrow and will continue to do our best."
 
Carlotta Mencaglia and Valeria Carreño Torres went toe-to-toe with Lena Peyer and Eloise Swarbrick at No. 1 doubles, with the affair halted at 4-4 after MT staked wins on other courts. Hanna Telzynska and DeCora Antoine were clipped, 6-3, by Rutuja Chaphalkar and Alessia Truden at No. 2 doubles. Paloma Hennicaux and Wendy Zhang fell to Cassidy Mataia and Ilaria Sposetti, 6-1, at No. 3 doubles.
 
Action then swung to singles, but unlike in the 4-3 triumph against Nicholls State on March 13, UTEP was unable to produce a comeback. Mencaglia was dispatched by Sposetti, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 1 singles. Telzynska was ousted by Peyer, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 2 singles. Carreño Torres came up short against Mataia, 6-2, 7-6, at No. 4 singles while Antoine was bounced by Chaphalkar, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 6 singles.
 
Hennicaux took the opening set at No. 3 singles vs. Sara Conde at No. 3 singles before the match was halted. Zhang's battle vs. Zenn Limm was also stopped early.
 
The Miners will look to get back into the win column when they lock up at Liberty at 11 a.m. MT/1 p.m. ET Sunday. UTEP will then be idle until playing host to CUSA foe Sam Houston on "Senior Day" at 12 p.m. MT on April 6.
 
Tennis Match Results
UTEP vs Middle Tennessee
03/22/2025 at Lynchburg, VA
Middle Tennessee 5, UTEP 0
 
Singles competition
1. Ilaria Sposetti (MTSU) def. Carlotta Mencaglia (UTEP) 6-3, 6-1
2. Lena Peyer (MTSU) def. Hanna Telzynska (UTEP) 6-2, 6-3
3. Sara Conde (MTSU) vs. Paloma Hennicaux (UTEP) 6-7 (7-9), 2-1, unfinished
4. Cassidy Mataia (MTSU) def. V. Carreño Torres (UTEP) 6-2, 7-6
5. Zenn Lim (MTSU) vs. Wendy Zhang (UTEP) 6-1, 4-4, unfinished
6. Rutuja Chaphalkar (MTSU) def. DeCora Antoine (UTEP) 6-0, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Lena Peyer/Eloise Swarbrick (MTSU) vs. Carlotta Mencaglia/V. Carreño Torres (UTEP) 4-4, unfinished
2. Rutuja Chaphalkar/Alessia Truden (MTSU) def. Hanna Telzynska/DeCora Antoine (UTEP) 6-3
3. Cassidy Mataia/Ilaria Sposetti (MTSU) def. Paloma Hennicaux/Wendy Zhang (UTEP) 6-1
 
Match Notes:
UTEP 6-6
Middle Tennessee 11-6
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,1,2,4)
 
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