The UTEP tennis team picked up its third straight victory by drilling Northern Colorado, 7-0, at the El Paso Tennis Club Friday afternoon.
The Miners move to 4-1 on the year, including 3-0 at home this year, while the Bears will have to settle for an 0-1 start to the 2009 dual-match campaign. It marks the first time in the program’s history that UTEP has started 4-1 on consecutive campaigns.
As has been the case all year long, UTEP pounced on its opposition early by claiming the doubles point for the fifth time in as many chances this season. The Orange and Blue had to work for things, with all three matches closely contested but on each court they found a way to come up with a victory.
In No. 1 doubles, Weronika Bloczynska/Megan Pritchard claimed the back-and-forth match-up against Tabatha Knop/Manuela Santos, 8-6. The Miners secured the doubles point, and the early lead as result, following Marina DeLuca/Ximena Fuentes’ defeat of UNC’s Jill Kappel/Jodi Ciarvella at No. 3 doubles, 8-6. UTEP made it a clean sweep by virtue of Martina Trieweiler/Carolina DeLuca edging past Tiffany Knop/Jennifer Whateley, 9-8 (7-3) in No. 2 doubles.
Action then switched to singles play, where the Miners started to pick up some steam. Trierweiler waxed Santos, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 2 doubles, effectively setting the tone for the rest of the match. Marina DeLuca followed in her countrywoman’s footsteps with a 6-2, 6-0, blitzing of Kappel at No. 4 singles.
Not to be outdone, the senior Pritchard was in cruise control in her match against Ciarvella from the get go. She picked up the straight-set victory, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 5 singles. Fuentes also enjoyed a dominating triumph, derailing Luiza Xavier 6-2, 6-1, at No. 6 singles.
Bloczynska’s perfect start to dual play looked to be in jeopardy against Knop at No. 1 singles, as the senior fell 6-2 in the first set. She bounced back in a big way, however, notching the second set 6-1. A super tiebreaker was used in lieu of the final set as the team outcome was already decided, but the change in format didn’t affect Bloczynska. The native of Poland doubled up her foe, 10-5.
Carolina DeLuca also was pushed to a super tie breaker, but she too found a way to pick up a triumph. Taking on Tiffany Knop at No. 3 singles, the freshman fell in the first set 7-6, (6-3). She rallied to notch the second set, 6-3, before putting things away by the final count of 10-5 in the super.
Also in action on the day was Vicky Michaud, who knocked off Whateley, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1.
The Miners will continue their season-long seven-match homestand against Sam Houston State at 1 p.m. on Friday.
UTEP 7, Northern Colorado 0
Singles competition
1. Weronika Bloczynska (UTEP) def. Tabatha Knop (UNC) 2-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-5)
2. Martina Trieweiler (UTEP) def. Manuela Santos (UNC) 6-0, 6-1
3. Carolina DeLuca (UTEP) def. Tiffany Knop (UNC) 6-7 (3-6), 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)
4. Marina DeLuca (UTEP) def. Jill Kappel (UNC) 6-2, 6-0
5. Megan Pritchard (UTEP) def. Jodi Ciarvella (UNC) 6-2, 6-1
6. Ximena Fuentes (UTEP) def. Luiza Xavier (UNC) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Weronika Bloczynska/Megan Pritchard (UTEP) def. Tabatha Knop/Manuela Santos (UNC) 8-6
2. Martina Trieweiler/Carolina DeLuca (UTEP) def. Tiffany Knop/Jennifer Whateley (UNC) 9-8 (7-3)
3. Marina DeLuca/Ximena Fuentes (UTEP) def. Jill Kappel/Jodi Ciarvella (UNC) 8-6
