EL PASO, TX/LAS CRUCES, NM – The Western New Mexico University Women's tennis team opened up their season in a doubleheader against UT El Paso (UTEP) and New Mexico State. The Mustangs showed signs of success but ultimately fell in games 7-0.
"It was great to start the season and see some exceptional talents," said Tennis Coach, Dakota Spillers. "I want to thank Coach Fernadez, Coach Vargas, and Coach Wang, for accommodating us. It is always something our student athletes look forward to."
UTEP:
Nearly 20 years straight, the women's tennis team has played at UTEP with a friendly exhibition. The Mustangs showed great fight in doubles. Willemijn Van Mierlo (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Calandlyceum) and Andreea Arnautu (Laval, Quebec, Canada/College Laval) secured a 6-4 win over the Miners. Kasja Gedlitschka and duos partner Emily Wang (Duos No. 2) had an early lead but fell 6-2. As for No. 1, Jenny Larsson (Stockholm, Sweden) and Livia Leite (Cunha-SP, Brazil/Bernardino Querido,) battled to the end before falling 6-1.
In singles the Mustangs failed to have a win. Van Mierlo fought to the dier end before the 6-3, 6-0 loss. In the No. 2 spot Leite faced an extraordinary talent of Carlotta Mencaglia by falling 61, 6-3. Larsson sat in the No. 3 spot and had a tough time as well. She fell 6-2, 6-1.
Emily Wang had a great first set but it was not enough, losing 7-5. She would end up losing the second set 6-1. In the five and six spot, Gedlitschka and Massiel Paredes (Lima, Peru/Pamer HS) battled but the result was not in the Mustangs favor. Both were downed 6-1, 6-1, and 6-3, 6-1.
NMSU:
The Mustangs struggled in duos against the Aggies. No. 1 Larsson and Leite and No. 2 Gedlitschka and Wang fell 6-0. No. 3 Van Mierlo and Paredes threw some punches before getting knocked out 6-2.
In singles, the Mustangs found some success. Larsson, Wang, Arnautu, and unattached Paredes won three games. Wang, Arnautu, and Paredes all lost 6-0, 6-3, and Larsson lost 6-3, 6-0. Van Mierlo and Gedlitschka did not have the results they wanted, falling 6-1, 6-0.
"Despite the results we were looking for, we had some success against some really good talent," said Spillers. "This will help us play in the LSC and give them a good representation of what we may see."
The Mustangs will play Mesa Community College and Eastern Arizona College on February 4.
This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!
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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter, TikTok & Instagram).
