The UNM women's tennis team started the spring season in fine form Sunday, sweeping the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks 7-0 at the Lobo Tennis Club.
"Today was a great start to our season," head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz said. "We have been practicing hard for the past two weeks and it has paid off."
The Lobos got off to a great start in doubles with the top-seeded team of junior Tjasa Suvak and freshman Maja Kovacek cruising to an effortless 8-1 drubbing of the Lumberjacks' Kirsten Balk and Ashley Dille.
At the number two spot, senior Rachel Hatley and junior Maria Ruiz-Fabrega battled through some rust for an 8-5 victory over NAU's Karen Kmiec and Marjolein Klompmaker. Each team had trouble holding serve until Hatley and Ruiz-Fabrega took control at 4-2 with Hatley holding serve after a break. The team is currently ranked ninth in the region.
"We were a little slow," Hatley said. "But it felt good to get the first one out of the way."
Sophomores Tiffany Robertson and Michelle Heidbrink dominated at the third seed as they controlled every facet of the game for an 8-0 victory over Katie Schurr and Christina Kloquinas.
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UNM continued to dominate in the singles matches with first seed Suvak downing Balk 6-2, 7-6. At the second seed, Suvak easily defeated Kmeic 6-3, 6-3. Heidbrink struggled through a tough first set at the third spot before she found her stride and downed Klompmaker 7-6, 6-1. Robertson continued where she left off in doubles with a decisive 6-0, 6-2 win over Julie Schmandt.
"I felt a little bit rusty, but once I got out there I felt good," Robertson said.
Hatley was equally dominant in her 6-2, 6-2 victory at the five spot over Schorr.
Ruiz-Fabrega capped off the Lobos' sweep with a 6-2, 7-6 win over Dille at the six seed.
The Lobos are off until Feb. 1, when they meet the University of Texas-El Paso in El Paso.
