NATCHITOCHES, La. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's tennis team began their run at the Southland Conference (SLC) Fall Championships Thursday at Northwestern State's Jack Fisher Lady Demon Complex.
 
Senior Yaiza Vazquez shined for the Vaqueros, downing No. 4 seed Josefa Fuenzalida from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) in straight sets. Vazquez and Fuenzalida went toe-to-toe in the first set with Vazquez winning the marathon tiebreaker 7-6 (12-10) before dominating in the second set with a 6-1 victory.
 
In doubles, sophomore Mariia Bakhtina and junior Rhea Makesar battled, but ultimately fell, to the No. 2 duo of Yana Mykytyn and Josefa Fuenzalida from TAMUCC in three sets, 2-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-4).
 
Vazquez will continue her run at the SLC Fall Championships Friday as she is scheduled to face No. 1 seed Salome Fluri from McNeese at 9 a.m.

UTRGV Thursday Results
Doubles
Quarterfinals
No. 2 Yana Mykytyn/Josefa Fuenzalida (TAMUCC) def. Mariia Bakhtina/Rhea Makesar (UTRGV), 2-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-4)
 
Singles
First Round
Yaiza Vazquez (UTRGV) def. No. 4 Josefa Fuenzalida (TAMUCC), 7-6 (12-10), 6-1
 
UTRGV Friday Schedule
Singles
Semifinals
Yaiza Vazquez (UTRGV) vs. No. 1 Salome Fluri (McNeese), 3 p.m.

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