March 30, 2010

The University of Texas-Pan American women's tennis program captured their second win of the season with a 4-3 victory over McNeese State this Tuesday (March 30) afternoon at the Orville Cox Tennis Center.

"The girls played an amazing match today, especially in No. 1 and 2 doubles. It was a battle out there on the courts and I'm proud to see that all our hard work has come to fruition in a tough match like this," said head men's and women's tennis coach Chris Taylor.

The women were quick to go up on the board with the doubles point. Sarah Burton and Andrea Salvetova were the first to drop their match 8-3 to Inga Efimenko and Tea Tvrtkovic at No. 3 doubles.

Luisa Cantu and Megan Bedeau followed the loss with a 9-8(8) victory at No. 1 doubles against Ralista Pirdopska and Victoria Martinez. A win at No. 2 doubles clinched the doubles point as Nina Ciric and Reetta Raty defeated Ilona Serchenko and Kwynn Biggs, 8-6.

With the momentum flying from doubles action, Cantu was quick to defeat her opponent at line one by a 6-1, 6-2 score. Burton followed with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Efimenko at line five.

"Sarah and Luisa showed their experience as seniors today by playing some of their best tennis to put us up 3-0," said Taylor.

With the women up 3-0, Raty dropped her match 6-3, 6-4 to Biggs at line four and Ciric dropped her match 6-1, 6-4 to Serchenko at line two. The Cowgirls were now one point behind the Lady Broncs, but a 6-1, 7-6(4) win by Megan Bedeau over Martinez put the Lady Broncs up 4-3 and captured the women's second win of the season.

"Megan has been in these kinds of situations before. Maria and I had all the confident that she would be able to close out the match for us," said Taylor.

Up next for the women is a match-up against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and will also be designated Senior Night for the women. First serve is slated for Wednesday, March 31 at 1:00 p.m. at the Orville Cox Tennis Center.

UTPA 4, McNeese State 3
Doubles Competition:
1. Luisa Cantu/Megan Bedeau (UTPA) def. Ralista Pirdopska/Victoria Martinez (MCN) 9-8(8)
2. Nina Ciric/Reetta Raty (UTPA) def. Ilona Serchenko/Kwynn Biggs (MCN) 8-6
3. Inga Efimenko/Tea Tvrtkovic (MCN) def. Sarah Burton/Andrea Salvetova (UTPA) 8-3

Singles Competition:
1. Luisa Cantu (UTPA) def. Ralista Pirdopska (MCN) 6-1, 6-2
3. Ilona Serchenko (MCN) def. Nina Ciric (UTPA) 6-1, 6-4
2. Megan Bedeau (UTPA) def. Victoria Martinez (MCN) 6-1, 7-6(4)
4. Kwynn Biggs (MCN) def. Reetta Raty (UTPA) 6-3, 6-4
5. Sarah Burton (UTPA) def. Inga Efimenko (MCN) 6-0, 6-2
6. Tea Tvrtkovic (MCN) def. Andrea Salvetova (UTPA) 6-4, 6-3

UTPA Media Relations