by Rick Bustos
Daily Lobo
The UNM women's tennis team beat the Texas Tech Lady Raiders 6-1 at the UNM Tennis Club on Saturday.
The Lobos lost out on the doubles point, with defeats in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, but bounced back to sweep all six points from the singles matches.
At No. 1 doubles, Lady Raiders Beverly Dawson and Irina Terschenko beat Maja Kovacek and Sandy Lukowski 8-2. The No. 2 doubles match saw another Lady Raiders win with Kendall Brooks and Tara Browning defeating Maria Ruiz-Fabrega and Rachel Hatley 8-5. Tiffany Robertson and Michelle Heidbrink downed Barbara Schraml and Katja Kovacic 8-2 in the only doubles victory for the Lobos.
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"It was just an easier match," Robertson said. "Michelle and I just hit the ball harder and it was easy to pick their serves."
The Lobos had a much easier time in the singles matches, sweeping Texas Tech 6-0.
Kovacek won the top singles match 6-7, 6-1, 6-3 over Tereschenko in a well-played match by both. In the No. 2 position, Lukowski beat Dawson 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. Suvak took the No. 3 match with a 7-6, 6-3 win over Brooks. Heidbrink's 6-1, 6-2 win over Browning at the No. 4 spot ensured the Lobos' victory. At the No. 5 and 6 spots, Robertson and Hatley earned victories over Lombard and Kovacic 6-4, 7-5 and 6-2, 6-2 to help the Lobos win.
UNM head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz said her team was a little tentative from not playing last weekend.
"I'm happy with the singles play," Kolankiewicz said. "We didn't play our best but I am happy with the win."
Hatley, the lone UNM senior and this year's team captain, was honored before the doubles matches. Other accomplishments in her UNM career include being named to the 2002 Mountain West Conference All-Academic team for her scholastic efforts. Hatley's career record at UNM is 31-16 since her transfer from Lee College her junior year.
"It's been a lot of fun," Hatley said. "I've learned a lot and I had a lot of support."
Kolenkiewiez said Hatley has been vital to the team.
"Hatley has been a big asset to our success this season," Kolankiewicz said. "She is a really tough player; we are really going to miss her."
The Lobos finished their regular season schedule with a 14-8 record (5-2 MWC) as well as an outstanding 9-0 home court mark.
The Lobos earned the third seed for the MWC Championships April 24-26 in San Diego and will play sixth-seeded Air Force in the first round.
