Feb. 26, 2004

Edinburg, Texas - Texas-Pan American (1-3) blanked Laredo (1-3), 7-0 for its first win of the 2003-04 season. It was also the first time in almost two years that the Lady Broncs had won 7-0.

For the second time this season, UTPA was undefeated when its single matches went to three sets. At Number 1, Vanessa Hedinger (Fr./Therwil, Switzerland/Gymnasium Berwil) battled back for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over Elba Pamela Martinez. Elysia Sloan (So./Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville HS) beat Paula Guzman, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) at Number 2. At Number 6, Erica Rivera (Fr./McAllen, Texas/McAllen Memorial HS) picked up her first win beating Vidi Montiel, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (10-6).

"The shutout was awesome." Said head coach Eduardo Provencio. "Our women have made a habit of winning three set matches this year. Winning the doubles point against a tough team like Laredo set the tone for the rest of the day. I'm more and more impressed with what our girls are doing. We could end up having a very memorable year. The effort of Natalie Gonzalez (Fr./McAllen, Texas/Nikki Rowe HS) and Erica is everything what is fantastic about our women's team right now. They joined as walk-ons and have just stepped right into it for us."

Texas-Pan American is off until March 11 when they return to the Orville Cox Tennis Stadium. The Broncs will be taking on Abilene Christian. The match is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.

SINGLES
#1 - Vanessa Hedinger (UTPA) def. Elba Pamela Martinez (Laredo) 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
#2 - Elysia Sloan (UTPA) def. Paula Guzman (Laredo) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (10-4)
#3 - Alana Breen (UTPA) def. Amanda Benavidez (Laredo) 6-0, 6-3
#4 - Ana Pena (UTPA) def. Nancy Ortiz (Laredo) 6-1, 6-2
#5 - Natalie Gonzalez (UTPA) def. Angelina Padilla (Laredo) 6-2, 6-2
#6 - Erica Riveria (UTPA) def. Vidi Montiel (Laredo) 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (10-6)

DOUBLES
#1 - Guzman/Martinez (Laredo) def. Breen/Hedinger (UTPA) 9-7
#2 - Pena/Sloan (UTPA) def. Montiel/Padilla (Laredo) 8-4
#3 - Gonzalez/Rivera (UTPA) def. Benavidez/Ortiz (Laredo) 8-5