FLAGSTAFF, Arizona – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs women's tennis team (3-9) plays three matches in three days at head coach Stephanie Vallejos' alma mater, Northern Arizona University, starting with a neutral site match against the Eastern Washington University Eagles (5-11) on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Continental Country Club.
 
The Broncs
Some mid-season changes to the Broncs' singles lineup has paid major dividends, as the Broncs are now winners of three of their last four matches. After Dana Nazarova started the season 0-7 at No. 1, she was moved to No. 2, where she is 4-1. Didi Fatchikova started the season 0-4, but is no 3-2 at No. 1. Wanda Beguelin has found success at No. 3, going 4-3, after going 1-4 at No. 4, while Manon Lavrijssen is 3-1 at No. 4 after going 0-3 at No. 2 and 0-5 at No. 3. Reegan Greenwood is 3-2 at No. 5 and 2-4 at No. 6 while Roma High School alum Julia Perez is 1-0 at No. 5 and 1-3 at No. 6.
 
Scouting the Eagles
In each of EWU's five team wins this year, the Eagles started the match by winning the doubles point. In all 11 of its losses, Eastern has not been able to capture the doubles point despite a few early point advantages in several of the duals.
 
Moira Hedberg is the only Eagle who boasts a winning singles record, going 9-7 at No. 1. She won six matches in a row from Feb. 10 - March 2, all in straight sets. Hedberg has also played in the top spot in doubles throughout the year, teaming up with Chelsea Patton and Chrissy Uriarte for an overall record of 7-7.
 
After playing her first eight matches of the year at No. 3 singles, Uriarte was recently moved up in the lineup to No. 2. She won her first two matches in a row at the higher position, and has earned a 3-5 overall mark there. In addition, in Eastern's last two matches, Uriarte also moved from No. 2 to No. 1 doubles, joining Hedberg in the top spot. As freshmen in 2012, Uriarte and Hedberg played as partners for 15 matches, earning a 4-11 record at No. 1.
 
Seniors Ryann Warner and Patton also appear in the EWU record book for career singles wins. Ryan currently ranks seventh in history with 27, while Patton is 11th with 21.
 
The Series
This is the first-ever meeting between the Broncs and Eagles.
 
Last Time Out
The Broncs sent Nazarova out with a win in her final home match, 5-2 over Prairie View A&M on March 22. Nazarova teamed with Greenwood for an 8-5 win over Brittany Harrell and Lerato Ndlovu at No. 1 doubles, and then beat Ndlovu 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.
 
That's a Winner
The Broncs got their first win of the season in dominating fashion, taking 76 of 78 games in a 7-0 drubbing over the University of the Southwest on March 1. The Broncs had four double bagels in singles and won by default at No. 6 singles as well as No. 3 doubles.
 
Home Sweet Home
The Broncs are 3-3 at home this season and were 1-1 at home last season, but are 27-9 (.750) over the last eight seasons.
 
You Can Put it on the Board
The Broncs picked up their first match points of the season at UTSA on Feb. 3, as Wanda Beguelin defeated Alena Shichkova 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3 and Anastasia Burobina (UTPA) beat Kavya Menon (UTSA) 6-4, 6-2 at No. 4.
 
Ranked Win
The Broncs picked up their first win of the season in doubles against No. 36 Arkansas on January 19, as the No. 2 duo of Anastasia Burobina and Beguelin defeated Flavia Araujo and Kimberly - Ann Surin 8-5.
 
When in Roma…
The Broncs have one local student-athlete in Roma-native and freshman Julia Perez, who picked up her first dual singles and doubles wins against the University of the Southwest on March 1.
 
During her four years at Roma High School, Perez went 72-0 and never lost a district match. She was District 32-4A MVP, First Team All-Valley and First Team All-District in Doubles all four years. She was also the 2009 and 2011 singles district champion, as well as the 2012 doubles district champion. The Gladiators won the district title every year she was there and were ranked No. 12 in the state in 2011. Perez also led the Gladiators on a 52-match winning streak in district play.
 
In addition to her stellar tennis play, Perez was a regional qualifier in swimming all four years, led the golf team to their first ever regional tournament, led the basketball team to the 2012 playoffs, and earned honorable mention in golf in 2011 and 2012 in basketball in 2011.
 
Globetrotters
The Broncs currently have eight student-athletes on the roster representing eight different countries, including Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, The Netherlands, Russia and the United States.
 
Next Up
The Broncs face Idaho State University on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at the Continental Country Club.