EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) women's tennis team picked up its second straight Western Athletic Conference victory after defeating Grand Canyon University (GCU), who was picked to finish in first in the pre-conference coaches poll, 5-2 on Saturday the Orville Cox Tennis Center.
 
It's UTRGV's first win over Grand Canyon in a series that dates back to 2014. The win also keeps UTRGV undefeated at home this season as it improved to 8-0.
 
"I am so proud of them," UTRGV head coach Sonia Hahn said. "They competed to hard. It was tough today. It was hot and windy. They fought hard and competed hard and pulled out the win. I am really proud of them."
 
UTRGV (9-8, 2-0 WAC) jumped out to the early lead after taking the first two doubles matches. Senior Dominique Esparza and Doris Aleksovska opened with a 6-2 win over Valentina Mokrova and Celina Buhr on court two.
 
Juniors Marine Darzyan and Dominique Ibarra clinched the point with a 6-2 win over Lana Rinaldi and Emilia Occhipinti on court one. 
 
GCU (6-11, 1-1 WAC) got on the board after winning on court two to get singles started but Ibarra answered with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Occhipinti on court three giving UTRGV the 2-1 lead. 
 
Belyaeva added to UTRGV's lead with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Mokrova on court four, which made it 3-1 before GCU got another point with a win on court five. 
 
Esparza then put the match away for UTRGV with a 7-6, 6-3 win on court one over Lo Pumo making it 4-2 and then it was freshman Lasya Patnaik closing out the match with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win on court six over Kylie Washchuck.
 
UTRGV will close out the first WAC cluster of the season on Sunday as it faces Seattle U at 1 p.m. at the Orville Cox Tennis Center. 
 
Singles (2,3,4,5,1,6)
1. Dominique Esparza (UTRGV) def. Martina Lo Pumo (GCU) 7-6 (4), 6-3
2. Lana Rinaldi (GCU) def. Marine Darzyan (UTRGV) 6-0, 7-5
3. Dominique Ibarra (UTRGV) def. Emilia Occhipinti (GCU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Anastasia Belyaeva (UTRGV) def. Valentina Mokrova (GCU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Celina Buhr (GCU) def. Doris Aleksovska (UTRGV) 6-3, 7-5
6. Lasya Patnaik (UTRGV) def. Kylie Waschuk (GCU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
 
Doubles (2,1,3)
1. Marine Darzyan/Dominique Ibarra (UTRGV) def. Lana Rinaldi/Emilia Occhipinti (GCU) 6-2
2. Dominique Esparza/Doris Aleksovska (UTRGV) def. Valentina Mokrova/Celina Buhr (GCU) 6-2
3. Martina Lo Pumo/Autum Prudhomme (GCU) def. Anastasia Belyaeva/Lasya Patnaik (UTRGV) 6-3

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