LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico State women’s tennis team kicks off its 2009 spring dual match season with three matches in Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 23-25, at UNLV’s Fertitta Tennis Complex.
The Aggies first match of the season comes against host and 39th-ranked UNLV on Friday at 11:00 a.m. MT. On Saturday NM State takes on Weber State and on Sunday the Aggies face Pacific. The last two matches are also set for 11:00 a.m., but Saturday’s match is tentatively scheduled, as it will be played in between two men’s dual matches.
These are the same three opponents that NM State opened last season against and the Aggies came away with two victories. Their only loss last year in the opening weekend came to UNLV, who was ranked No. 43 at the time.
Head coach Don Ball does not have a full lineup with him this weekend. Junior Laura Boguet is out with an injury and it is likely freshman Natalia Salum Solo will not play as well. Nonetheless, Ball is excited for his team to get out on the courts.
“We’re looking forward to playing well this weekend,” Ball said. “It’s always great to get back on the courts. We obviously will not be 100 percent without Laura and Natalia, but we’re looking for everyone else to play well and we’ll be able to get the rest of our team quality matches this weekend.”
Juniors Aleksa Costa and Sophia Marks are making their debut this weekend as the nation’s No. 52 ranked doubles team. Last year they earned all-WAC second team honors playing at the top spot for the Aggies.
After this weekend, NM State only has three matches until Feb. 21 and all of them are at home.
