Oct. 20, 2007

The UTEP tennis team wrapped up its busy weekend of action with some solid performances at the ITA Southwest Regionals and the UNM Individual Invite on Saturday afternoon.

Marina Deluca, Ximena Fuentes, Vicky Michaud and Megan Pritchard all emerged victorious to highlight a strong day of competition for the Orange and Blue.

Pritchard won an extremely competitive match against Isabella Glinksa from Houston. Pritchard opened strong, claiming the first set 6-4. Glinska rallied to notch the second set, 6-4, to force a super tiebreaker to decide the match. Pritchard rolled, posting a 10-3 victory.

Fuentes bounced back from a challenging day on Friday, with a triumph against Monika Drabkova from UTSA. She pulled out the first set, 6-4, before clinching the match with a 6-3 romp in the second set.

Deluca also showed tremendous heart after a demanding day on Friday, making quick work of Alejandra Gulida of Texas State. The sophomore cruised in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.

Weronika Bloczynska had a tough match-up in the opening round of the main draw. She was forced to battle the top seed in the tournament, Vanja Corovic from Texas. UTEP's No. 1 player gave it all she had, but came up short, 6-3, 6-2.

Amber Brightly was dispatched in straight sets by Potgieter. She fell by a final score of 6-4, 6-3.

At the UNM Individual Invite, Michaud's chance for a title came to an end in the semifinals. Michaud lost to Maria Stotirchos UNM 6-3, 6-1. Michaud raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first set before Stotirchos rattled off six consecutive games to claim the set, 6-3. In the second set, Michaud never got on track and fell by a score of 6-1.

In a consolation semifinals match, Harmonie Chatagner's bid to advances to the finals came up short. Sarah Cassman of Air Force secured a 6-3, 6-4 triumph.

In the quarterfinals of doubles play, Chatagner/Michaud were doubled up by New Mexico's Eusebe/Zuniga, 8-4.

UTEP's duo then moved into consolation play, but it was unable to rebound. They fell to a squad from Idaho, 8-6.

The Miners will be idle until they compete in their final tournament of the fall, the North Texas Invite, from Nov. 2-4.