by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
The UNM women's tennis team is gearing up for a busy weekend.
Senior Lucy Scott, junior Ola Abou-Zekry and sophomore Sandra Zmak will compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Fall Regional Tournament in Tulsa, Okla.
The others will showcase their talent at home during the UNM Individual Tournament.
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Head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz said the weekend will be full of match experience for team members.
"We have a busy weekend," she said. "Our players in Tulsa will face some strong competition in the region. There are over 30 teams in our region, and each of them will be sending their top players. The rest of the team will get four singles and three doubles matches here at home."
Abou-Zekry, who received a No. 99 national preseason ranking from the ITA, will make her singles debut in Tulsa. She has been inactive since injuring her wrist at the end of last season.
"My wrist doesn't hurt anymore," Abou-Zekry said. "So that's good. But I'm just getting used to playing again. I mean, it would be nice to win and all, but I'm focusing more on getting my game back."
Abou-Zekry was the highest-ranked Lobo last year at No. 8 in the central region. Zmak was next at No. 21. With the rankings, Abou-Zekry and Zmak got
automatic bids to the regional tournament.
Scott had a more difficult route to regionals. She defeated Oklahoma's Christi Baxley 6-4, 6-1 and Maria Martinez from Kansas 6-3, 6-1 in qualifying rounds Wednesday to join her teammates in the main draw.
Scott's qualifying matches were arduous, Kolankiewicz said.
"Playing in the qualifying rounds is always tough," she said. "You play two matches in one day, and if you split sets, you only play a 10-point tiebreaker. So, it's more pressure."
Scott and Zmak will team up in doubles for the second straight year. The pair ended last season No. 6 in the region.
"Lucy and I played pretty good together last season," Zmak said. "Now, we are just getting back together. But we have a pretty good chance to play well and post some solid results."
Kolankiewicz said she has high expectations for the tandem.
"Lucy and Sandra should have a good showing," Kolankiewicz said.
The six remaining Lobos will compete against Colorado, Idaho, UTEP, Boise State, NAU, Air Force and NMSU at the UNM Tennis Complex.
"It will be a great field," Kolankiewicz said. "We have seven talented teams coming. It should be great competition, and it will be awesome for the Lobos individually to shine at this event."
Senior Jennifer Ryba, junior Mackenzie White and freshman Emma Hayman will represent UNM in the top flight.
Hayman said she is aiming high for the tournament.
"I'm hoping to have more wins than losses in singles," she said. "Jen and I have a good chance in doubles, too. I'm confident we'll do well and hopefully get to the finals."
UNM is looking to turn around its disappointing home debut Sept. 21-23 when the Lobos posted a combined 14-23 record.
"I expect us to do well at this tournament," Kolankiewicz said. "I'm hoping that we have a good showing and that we win at least one of the singles flights. We're mixing up the teams in doubles and ... are looking for improvement with each tournament."
Women's tennis hosts
UNM Individual Tournament
Today, 9 a.m.
UNM Tennis Complex
