The UTEP tennis team was given a boost with the return of its top two players, but still came up short, 4-2, vs. Louisiana-Monroe Friday afternoon. With poor weather conditions in the area, the match was moved inside and only singles matches were contested.  The Miners slip to 9-4 on the year while ULM improves to 5-4.

Weronika Bloczynska and Martina Trieweiler both were sidelined last week, but neither showed any rust in their matches. At No. 1 singles, the senior cruised  past Vivian Polak, 6-3, 6-1, en route to moving to 11-1 in the spring.  

Trierweiler was even more dominant, crushing Lena Satge, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 2 doubles.

The Warhawks would not be rattled by the showing at the top of the singles play, using solid performances in spots 3-6 to edge out the Miners.

Freshman Carolina DeLuca was tripped up by Sharon Makhanya at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-3, while her elder sister (Marina DeLuca) was dispatched by Claire Clark at No. 4 singles, 6-3, 6-0.

Senior Megan Pritchard ran into a buzzsaw at No. 5 singles, in the form of Monika Winkel. Pritchard was bounced 6-1 in the initial set before playing much better but ultimately coming up short in the second set, 6-4.

Ximena Fuentes battled hard against Marion Lehmann in No. 6 singles, in a back-and-forth affair, before she was ultimately force to retire in the third set. Lehmann struck first by claiming the initial set, 6-4, but the sophomore countered with a 7-6 (10-8) decision in the second. The third set never came close to being finished, though, as Fuentes retired with an injury.

All is not lost for the Miners, however, as they still have three matches over the weekend during which they can bounce back in a big way. UTEP will challenge Louisiana Tech at 8 a.m. MT and SEMO at 11 a.m., on Saturday. The Miners will wrap up the road swing by squaring off vs. Arkansas State at 8 a.m. MT on Sunday.

Louisiana Monroe 4, UTEP 2

1. Weronika Bloczynska (UTEP) def. Vivian Polak (ULM) 6-3, 6-1

2. Martina Trieweiler (UTEP) def. Lena Satge (ULM) 6-1, 6-0

3. Sharon Makhanya (ULM) def. Carolina DeLuca (UTEP) 6-3, 6-3

4. Claire Clark (ULM) def. Marina DeLuca (UTEP) 6-3, 6-0

5. Monica Winkel (ULM) def. Megan Pritchard (UTEP) 6-1, 6-4

6. Marion Lehmann (ULM) def. Ximena Fuentes (UTEP) 6-4, 6-7 (8-10), retired