Women’s Tennis Comes Close Against UTPB, Falls to Pair of Nationally-Ranked Teams in Midland

MIDLAND, Texas – The Western New Mexico University women's tennis team played three matches in Midland this past weekend, as they opened Lone Star Conference play falling just short to UT Permian Basin 6-3. After that they fell to a pair of nationally-ranked teams both by scores of 9-0 versus No. 9 St. Mary's and No. 37 St. Edward's.

The Lady Mustangs couldn't quite get past UT Permian Basin as they fell 6-3 in the Lone Star Conference opener. It was already the third LSC match for the Falcons. In doubles, redshirt junior Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado )/freshman Karina Diaz (Laredo, TX/United) tallied a point at No. 3 as they claimed the 8-4 victory. That ended up being the only doubles point for WNMU as UTPB took No. 2 doubles against freshmen Emma Siboni (Boulogne-Billancourt, France/Lycée La Fontaine)/Nadia Justiniano (Santa Cruz, Bolivia/Santa Cruz International School) 8-3 and then at the top flight against seniors Gemma Goodland (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia/Maribyrnong College Sports Academy)/Annely Heinze (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Techologico de Monterrey) 8-5.

In singles, Heinze and Goodland picked up wins playing at No. 2 and No. 3. Heinze dropped just five games in cruising to her 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 2. Goodland added to that a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 3. Newell came close in her match at the top flight, as she dropped the first set 1-6, but then came back with a strong 6-4 win in the second before a 2-6 loss in the third. Siboni played a tough opening set at No. 4 as she went to a tiebreaker and eventually fell in straight sets 6-7, 3-6. Justiniano had a good second set as she dropped the first 3-6, but then grabbed five games in the second before a 5-7 loss. Diaz tallied seven games at No. 6 before falling 3-6, 4-6.

The Lady Mustangs then went against #9 St. Mary's and the Rattlers lived up to their ranking in taking the 9-0 victory. In doubles, Goodland/Heinze at the top flight and Siboni/Justiniano at No. 3 each won three games before both fell by the same score of 8-3. Kolb/Newell fell at No. 2, 8-1.

In singles, Kolb at No. 4 and Diaz at No. 6 each tallied six games. Kolb fell by scores of 6-4, 6-2, while Diaz lost by the same set scores of 6-3. Goodland fell 6-0 in the first set at No. 3 and then came back to win three games in the second set before a 6-3 setback. Newell at the top flight and Siboni at No. 5 fell by the same scores of 6-1, 6-1. Rounding out singles play, Heinze fell at No. 2 6-1, 6-0.

To close the weekend, the Lady Mustangs fell to #37 St. Edward's 9-0. In doubles, Newell/Kolb came the closest at No. 2 posting five games before an 8-5 setback. Siboni/Justiniano recorded three games before an 8-3 loss at No. 3. At the top flight, Goodland/Heinze fell 8-2.

In singles, Newell came the closest at the top flight as she won the first set 7-6, but then fell in the second 1-6, before she came back strong to nearly win the third before an 8-10 setback. Justiniano at No. 5 nearly won the first set, but fell just short in a tiebreak, 7-6 and then fell in the second, 6-1. Heinze at No. 2 ended up with five games before a 6-2, 6-3 loss. Goodland and Kolb each won three games in their matches as Goodland fell 6-0, 6-3 at No. 3 and Kolb at No. 4 by scores of 6-1, 6-2. Diaz at No. 6 fell by the same scores of 6-1 in each set.

WNMU, now 2-8 on the season, will head to California this week as they will play Grossmont College and San Diego Christian College.

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Players Mentioned

Gemma Goodland: 5' 8"; Senior

Annely Heinze: 5' 6"; Senior

Tiffany Newell: 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior

Karina Diaz: 5' 2"; Freshman

Emma Siboni: 5' 2"; Freshman

Nadia Justiniano: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Gemma Goodland
: 5' 8"; Senior

Annely Heinze
: 5' 6"; Senior

Tiffany Newell
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior

Karina Diaz
: 5' 2"; Freshman

Emma Siboni
: 5' 2"; Freshman

Nadia Justiniano
: Freshman