The UTEP tennis regained its winning ways on the strength of dominating showings against Louisiana Tech and SEMO on Saturday afternoon. When it was all said and done, the Miners were in possession of a pair of 4-0 triumphs, and the 4-2 setback vs. Louisiana Monroe on Friday was nothing more than a distant memory.
UTEP is now 11-4 on the campaign, which already rates as the second-highest effort during head coach Jamie Campbell’s era. The Miners still have seven regular-season matches remaining, in addition to the Conference USA tournament, and thus have a shot at toppling the school record for single-season triumphs (16-9 in 1995).
Furthermore by virtue of the sweep on Saturday, UTEP now boasts a program-standard-tying six victories via the shutout in 2009. The1991 squad also secured six such wins.
The Miners were in top form throughout the day, securing every match contested in straight sets. La. Tech was up first, and UTEP set the tone early. Weronika Bloczynska and Martina Trierweiler crushed their foes with identical double bagels. At No. 1 singles, Ashley Wedderburn had no answer for the senior while at No. 2 singles Trierweiler destroyed Ada Makowska.
Megan Pritchard was locked in at No. 5 singles, derailing Mallory Smith to the tune of 6-2, 6-2. The final triumph on the day was courtesy of Marina DeLuca. She was well on her way to downing Rocio Juarez at No. 4 singles (4-0), before Juarez retired with an injury.
Carolina DeLuca led 6-1, 3-1 vs. Maartje de Wit at No. 3 singles but the match was halted early due to the team outcome already being in the books. That was also the case for Vicky Michaud at No. 6 singles against Laura Rodriguez (6-5).
UTEP didn’t rest on its laurels, though, as it actually elevated its level against SEMO. The Miners mixed up their lineup a bit as action started from the No. 6 spot and worked its way up, but the change in format was a moot point.
Ximena Fuentes turned in a flawless showing against Erika Seabaugh, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 4 singles. Michaud also picked up a shutout triumph, waxing Sarah Pettigrew at No. 5 singles.
Pritchard was almost perfect, but still dominated against Anna LeBoeuf (6-1, 6-0) at No. 3 singles. Last but certainly not last was freshman Carla Murguia drilling Valentina Emiliani (SEMO) 6-1, 6-0.
Carolina DeLuca never started her match against Julia Masotti at No. 1 singles, while Marina DeLuca’s tilt at No. 2 singles vs. Elise Nattier was halted early. DeLuca was leading 6-1, 2-0.
UTEP 4, Louisiana Tech 0
Singles competition
1. Weronika Bloczynska (UTEP) def. Ashley Wedderburn (LT) 6-0, 6-0
2. Martina Trieweiler (UTEP) def. Ada Makowska (LT) 6-0, 6-0
3. Carolina DeLuca (UTEP) vs. Maartje de Wit (LT) 6-1, 3-1, unfinished
4. Marina DeLuca (UTEP) def. Rocio Juarez (LT) 4-0, retired
5. Megan Pritchard (UTEP) def. Mallory Smith (LT) 6-2, 6-2
6. Vicky Michaud (UTEP) vs. Laura Rodriguez (LT) 6-5, unfinished
UTEP 4, SEMO 0
Singles competition
1. Carolina DeLuca (UTEP) vs. Julia Masotti (SEMO) unfinished
2. Marina DeLuca (UTEP) vs. Elise Nattier (SEMO) 6-1, 2-0, unfinished
3. Megan Pritchard (UTEP) def. Anna LeBoeuf (SEMO) 6-1, 6-0
4. Ximena Fuentes (UTEP) def. Erika Seabaugh (SEMO) 6-0, 6-0
5. Vicky Michaud (UTEP) def. Sarah Pettigrew (SEMO) 6-0, 6-0
6. Carla Murguia (UTEP) def. Valentina Emiliani (SEMO) 6-1, 6-0
