Tennis Faces Pair of Tough Nationally Ranked Conference Opponents at LSC Championships

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Going into the day, the Western New Mexico University tennis teams knew it would be a tough challenge having to face a pair of nationally ranked teams during the first round of the Lone Star Conference Championships that took place Friday in Corpus Christi at the HEB Tennis Center. The Lady Mustangs fell to #19 Cameron 5-0 and the men fell 5-2 to #16 Midwestern State.

On the women's side, it was a tough start for WNMU (2-19) as they fell behind 3-0 after doubles against #19 Cameron (14-6). Senior Jeanne Kolb (La Couronne, France/Lycée de l'Image et du Son)/junior Klara Smolikova (Jihlava, Czech Republic/Jihlava) faced the toughest test of the group in doubles at the top flight going against the No. 18 pair of Zhenia Shviadok/Mathilde Thibaudat and they picked up three games before the 3-8 setback. Freshmen Kaycie Cormier (Douglas, AZ/Douglas)/Christine Roerick (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva) won two games at No. 3, 2-8, while sophomores Nadia Justiniano (Santa Cruz, Bolivia/Santa Cruz International School)/Karina Diaz (Laredo, TX/United) were defeated 0-8 at No. 2.

In singles, Smolikova at the top flight and Roerick at No. 5 were the first two matches to conclude to end the match at 5-0. Smolikova faced No. 23 Shviadok and did the best she could, but could only claim two games, 2-6, 0-6. Roerick had a similar result in her match falling 1-6, 0-6. Kolb came close in her first match at No. 3 before falling 4-6 when the match ended. Diaz lost her opening set at No. 4, 1-6, Justiniano at No. 2 was in her second set, as she dropped the first 1-6, and was tied 1-1 in the second, while Cormier had a difficult matchup at No. 6 and was behind 0-6, 0-5 when the match was called.

On the men's side, WNMU (3-18) got the start they wanted taking the 2-1 lead after doubles against #16 Midwestern State (18-5). Senior Vladimir Gnilozubov (Kazakhstan, Astana/Kazakhstan)/junior Liam Fraboulet (Lycée Kerraoul, Paimpol, France/Lycée Kerraoul) dominated the No. 11 ranked duo of Nolan McCaig/Dillon Pineda at the top flight, 8-4. Senior Pablo Santibanez (Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico/CETYS Universidad)/freshman David Valles (Guadalajara, Mexico/HYCIG) added another upset win at No. 3 as they cruised to the 8-4 win over the No. 24 team of Angel Palacios/Alex Marintez-Roca. Senior Zachary Grabovic (Melbourne, Australia/St. Kevin's College)/freshman Niko Barr (Whakatane, New Zealand/Trident) won three games at No. 2, 3-8.

In singles, Gnilozubov at No. 2 and Grabovic at No. 4 were still playing their matches when Midwestern had reached the 5-2 victory. Fraboulet faced No. 12 Vasudev Vijayaraman again at the top flight and he had defeated him just a few weeks ago, but this time Vijayaraman was able to hold Fraboulet to seven games as he fell, 4-6, 3-6. Santibanez had a tough fight in his opening set at No. 6 as he went to a tiebreaker and fell just short, 6-7 (5). He then dropped the second, 2-6. Valles won five games in his match at No. 5, 3-6, 2-6, while Barr had a tough matchup at No. 3 falling to No. 73 Palacios, 0-6, 0-6. Gnilozubov was set for a lengthy match at No. 2, as he had a rough first set falling 1-6. He quickly came back with a 6-4 win in the second and was tied 6-6 in the third when the match ended. Grabovic started strong in his match at No. 4 as he won the first set, 7-5. He then dropped the second 1-6 and was down 1-5 in the third when the match was halted.

This was the final match of the season for both teams and the final matches as Mustangs for seniors Kolb, Gnilozubov, Santibanez and Grabovic.

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Players Mentioned

Liam Fraboulet: 5' 11"; Junior

Vladimir Gnilozubov: 5' 8"; Senior

Zachary Grabovic: 6' 0"; Senior

Pablo Santibanez: 6' 1"; Senior

David Valles: 5' 9"; Freshman

Niko Barr: 6' 0"; Junior

Karina Diaz: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Nadia Justiniano: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Jeanne Kolb: 5' 1"; Senior

Christine Roerick: 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Liam Fraboulet
: 5' 11"; Junior

Vladimir Gnilozubov
: 5' 8"; Senior

Zachary Grabovic
: 6' 0"; Senior

Pablo Santibanez
: 6' 1"; Senior

David Valles
: 5' 9"; Freshman

Niko Barr
: 6' 0"; Junior

Karina Diaz
: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Nadia Justiniano
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Jeanne Kolb
: 5' 1"; Senior

Christine Roerick
: 5' 8"; Freshman