Women’s Tennis Falls to Javelinas, Nearly Downs TexAnns

KINGSVILLE/STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Following a lengthy road trip to both Kingsville and Stephenville, Texas, the Western New Mexico University women's tennis team dropped a 9-0 decision to Texas A&M-Kingsville, but then came back to nearly upset Tarleton State before falling 5-4 with both matches counting as Lone Star Conference contests.

Against the Javelinas on Friday, the Lady Mustangs fell behind 3-0 in doubles, but came close in a couple of the matches. Redshirt junior Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado )/junior Jeanne Kolb (La Couroone, France/Lycée de l'Image et du Son ) posted five games at No. 2 before an 8-5 setback. Seniors Gemma Goodland (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia/Maribyrnong College Sports Academy)/Annely Heinze (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Techologico de Monterrey) battled at the top flight before an 8-4 loss. Freshmen Emma Siboni (Boulogne-Billancourt, France/Lycée La Fontaine)/Nadia Justiniano (Santa Cruz, Bolivia/Santa Cruz International School) lost 8-1 at No. 3.

In singles, four went all three sets. Newell came the closest to a win as she won the first set 6-2 and after dropping the second 0-6, she came really close in the third before an 8-10 setback. Goodland also won her first set 6-1 and after dropping the second 2-6, came close in the third before a 6-10 loss at No. 3. It was a similar story for Heinze at No. 2 as she also claimed the first set 6-2 and after a 1-6 loss in the second, dropped the third, 3-10. Justiniano went three sets in her match at No. 6 as she also won the first set 6-3, but then dropped the next two 0-6, 0-6. Siboni posted five games at No. 5 before a 3-6, 2-6 loss, while freshman Karina Diaz (Laredo, TX/United) at No. 4 fell 0-6, 0-6.

After having to drive the six-plus hours to play Tarleton State the next morning, the Lady Mustangs responded and nearly pulled off the win. In doubles, WNMU took the 2-1 lead with wins at No. 1 and No. 2. Goodland/Heinze took the 8-4 win at the top flight and then Newell/Kolb added an 8-5 win at No. 2. Siboni/Justiniano fell 1-8 at No. 3.

In singles, the Lady Mustangs won at No. 2 and No. 6. Heinze cruised to the 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 2, while Justiniano fought off a tough challenge in the first set to take the 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 6. The TexAnns responded to take matches three through five with Goodland tallying four games before a 3-6, 1-6 loss at No. 3, Diaz fell by the same set scores of 1-6, 1-6 at No. 4 and Siboni fell at No. 5, 0-6, 1-6. Then it came down to Newell's match at the top flight to decide who would win the match and she came very close to winning the first set before a 6-7 loss and then a 3-6 decision in the second set gave Tarleton State the hard-fought victory.

WNMU, 3-15 on the season, will now return home this coming Friday against Cameron at 9:30 a.m. and then against Midwestern State on Saturday at 8 a.m.

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Players Mentioned

Gemma Goodland: 5' 8"; Senior

Annely Heinze: 5' 6"; Senior

Tiffany Newell: 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior

Jeanne Kolb: 5' 1"; 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

Jeanne Kolb
: 5' 1"; Junior

Karina Diaz
: 5' 2"; Freshman

Emma Siboni
: 5' 2"; Freshman

Nadia Justiniano
: Freshman