After a close loss to LSU last week, the No. 49 UNM women's tennis team rebounded to defeat No. 43 South Florida 4-3 on Saturday at the UNM Tennis Complex.
"We knew coming in that this was an important match for us," head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz said. "We had the home-field advantage because of our high altitude and really believed that we could capitalize on the opportunity."
In the Lobos' first match of the season, UNM failed to secure a doubles win.
"For the past couple of years, our doubles matches have not been as strong as they need to be in order to win," Kolankiewicz said. "So, we keep working with the girls to strengthen that part of the game."
Things were different on Saturday. UNM captured doubles and a 1-0 advantage. South Florida fought from behind after a hot start by the Lobos, but Maria Sotirchos and Ola Abou-Zekry battled through a tie and snagged the tiebreaker 6-3 for the win.
"Those doubles wins really got us going," Kolankiewicz said. "I think the key to winning today was getting out to a quick start, and those early wins did that for us and gave us the momentum heading into singles."
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In singles, UNM split matches with South Florida. The Lobos notched wins in the first three spots but then dropped the last three in tough battles. In her match, Abou-Zekry busted to a quick lead and against Jessica Sweeting, and she won handily 6-2, 6-0.
"Our doubles match was so close, and we almost dropped a point," Abou-Zekry said. "So, I felt like I needed to get ahead from the beginning and finish strong to get the win."
Hayman earned her second win of the season and clinched the team win in a tougher battle with Iciri Rai 6-3, 6-4. In the No. 1 singles match, Mackenzie White faced Jessica Zok and clinched her second win of the season 6-3, 6-0.
"The seniors are such an integral part of this team. They got some big wins for us today, and we need them and everybody to keep getting wins," Kolankiewicz said.
The Lobos will get a chance to face teams in the top 40 when they travel to Illinois for the National Team Indoors. There they will face their toughest competition yet, as they hope to notch wins against No. 38 Tulsa and No. 1 Northwestern.
"We especially need wins against teams that are ranked in the 20-to-40s range because those are going to give us a chance at an NCAA bid," Kolankiewicz said.
Women's tennis at National Team Indoors
Evanston, Ill.
Saturday, TBA
