ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Western New Mexico University Women's Tennis team traveled to Albuquerque, N.M. for a double header against The University of New Mexico (exhibition) and Colorado College. The Lobos defeated the Mustangs 7-0 in match one and the Tigers of CC took the second match 4-3.

MATCH ONE (New Mexico):

In doubles, the Mustangs No.1 pairing of Livia Leite (Cunha-SP, Brazil/Bernardino Querido,) and Mann-Ning Li (Converse, TX/John H. Guyer HS) lost a close battle, 6-2 to Maud Vandeputte and Bente Vandeputte. The No. 2 pairing of Gabriella Blumberg () and Ana Sofia Montero Villegas () fell 6-1 to Hsuan Huang and Maria Sodre. The Lobos took the doubles point.

The Mustangs would not fair much better in singles. No. 3 Montero lost to M. Vandeputte 6-1, 6-0. At the No. 4 Andreea Arnautu (Laval, Quebec, Canada/College Laval) fell 6-0, 6-2 to B. Vandeputte. Playing in the No.1 slot was Leite. She was defeated by Sarah O'Connor 6-2, 6-1. Li earned the No. 2 spot, dropping her match to Hsuan 6-1, 6-2. Blumberg rounded out the line at No. 5, losing a tough battle to Sofia Taborga 7-5, 6-1. The Mustangs fell 7-0.

Order of Finish:
Doubles - 2, 1
Singles - 3, 4, 1, 2, 5

MATCH TWO (Colorado College):

In doubles, No. 2 Blumberg and Montero won a thrilling battle against the Tigers Gigi Jensen and Emmy Winter 6-3. The Mustangs No. 1 pair of Leite and Li found themselves quickly down 5-3, forcing a comeback to take the lead 6-5. However they would end up falling to the Tigers' Avery Hickman and Kala Komanduri 7-6 (7-5), giving the Tigers the doubles point.

The singles matches would prove to be some thrillers for the Mustangs. Arnautu earned the Mustangs their points at the No. 5 with a dominant performance against the Tigers' Jensen 6-4, 6-1. No. 2 Li earned the next Mustang point after dropping her first set, she rallied off the next two defeating Hickman 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Leite, playing as the No.1 dropped her first set as well, but earned the final Mustang point by grinding a tough match out over Komanduri 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.

No. 3 Montero dropped her match to Christina Heffron 6-0, 7-5. The match clinching point came down to the Mustangs No.4 Blumberg. She lost a close battle to Lindsay Popeo 2-6, 7-5, 2-6 to give the Tigers the match 4-3.

Order of Finish:
Doubles - 2, 1
Singles: 3, 5, 4, 2, 1

The Mustangs will return to action Feb. 15th in Glendale, AZ for at matchup with Arizona Christian.

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, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok & Instagram)