Jan. 26, 2007

Box Score

The University of Texas - Pan American women's tennis team dropped its opening dual match to the University of Texas - El Paso on Friday (Jan. 26) in El Paso, TX, at the El Paso Tennis Club.

Due to inclement weather the doubles' portion of the event was canceled, therefore, the first team to four points was awarded the victory. Unfortunately for the Lady Broncs, UTEP was able to pull off the win by a score of 4-2.

In the number-one spot, Giana Oliveira (Santa Anna, Brazil/Eckerd College) fell to Weronika Bloczynska (6-1, 6-3) while teammate Julia Cirne-Lima (Porto Alegre, Brazil/Eckerd College) shared a different fate, defeating Isabela Kulaif in a hard fought match (1-6, 6-3, 6-1).

In a tightly contested match, newcomer Stephanie Willerding (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Northview Heights S.S.) dropped her opening match against senior Katherine Palider (6-4, 6-3).

"The first set was close, and the match was closer than the score indicated. Palider was able to pull away at the end, and I think experience played in," said head men's and women's tennis coach Rob Hubbard.

Megan Bedeau (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada/Northview Heights S.S.) suffered a setback to Marina Deluca in day one (6-1, 6-3) while veteran Silke Buksik (Waiblingen, Germany/Salier-Gymnasium Waiblingen) toppled Harmonie Chatanger (6-3, 6-3).

"Silke played beautifully. She picked up right where she left of in the fall," added Hubbard.

In the final and deciding match of the afternoon, Nicole Garcia (Cibolo, TX/Lee College) fell to Megan Pritchard (6-2, 6-4). Garcia was up 4-1 in the second set which would have sent the match to a third set, but Pritchard persevered in the end.

"UTEP picked up two very good new players, and despite that we had every opportunity to win. We just need to work a little harder. I'm disappointed about the outcome because we could have won our matches," said Hubbard.

The Lady Broncs return to competition on Saturday (Jan. 27) against North Florida in El Paso, TX, at the El Paso Tennis Club with start time set for 10:00 a.m.

UTPA Sports Information