The UTEP tennis team started strong by claiming the doubles point but home-standing Arkansas State rallied in singles play to knock off the Miners, 5-2, Sunday afternoon.  

UTEP (11-5) received a dominating performance from Marina Deluca at No. 4 singles, who pounded Rone van Wyk, 6-0, 6-2. DeLuca wasn’t as fortunate in doubles action, as the tandem of Rone van Wyk/Leydi Zora derailed DeLuca/Vicky Michaud, 8-3.

The Orange and Blue took home the point for doubles, though, behind victories at No. 1 and No. 2. Weronika Bloczynska/Megan Pritchard downed Jenny Herring/Tina Ojdanic, 8-6, at the top spot. Carolina DeLuca/Martina Trierweiler showed tremendous heart by rallying from an early deficit to knock off Elne Barnard/Paula Cheminska, 9-8 (7-2) at No. 2 doubles.

Bloczynska and Trierweiler also looked poised to finish in the win column for singles play, but each were saddled with three-set defeats.

At No. 1 singles, Bloczynska opened up well against Herring by claiming the initial set 6-3. Herring rallied, though, by securing the final two sets by scores of 6-4, 6-4.

Trierweiler also surged to an early edge in her match against Cheminska, snagging the first set 6-4. The second set went to Cheminska, 6-3. Cheminska led in the final set 5-2 before Trierweiler retired.

In other singles action, Carolina DeLuca squared off vs. Barnard at No. 3 singles. The freshman fought hard in the opening set but came up just shy at 7-5. In the second set, she succumbed by a final count of 6-1.

At No. 5 singles, Pritchard was dispatched by Zora, 6-2, 6-4, while Fuentes fell to Kamal, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 6 singles.

Final Results

Singles competition

1. Jenny Herring (ASU) def. Weronika Bloczynska (UTEP) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

2. Paula Chelminska (ASU) def. Martina Trierweiler (UTEP) 4-6, 6-3, 5-2 (retired)

3. Elne Barnard (ASU) def. Carolina DeLuca (UTEP) 7-5, 6-1

4. Marina Deluca (UTEP) def. Rone van Wyk (ASU) 6-0, 6-2

5. Leydi Zora (ASU) def. Megan Pritchard (UTEP) 6-2, 6-4

6. Menna Kamal (ASU) def. Ximena Fuentes (UTEP) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Weronika Bloczynska/Megan Pritchard (UTEP) def. Jenny Herring/Tina Ojdanic (ASU) 8-6

2. Carolina DeLuca/Martina Trierweiler (UTEP) def. Elne Barnard/Paula Chelminska (ASU) 9-8 (7-2)

3. Rone van Wyk/Leydi Zora (ASU) def. Vicky Michaud/Marina DeLuca (UTEP) 8-3