MIDLAND, Texas – Playing five matches in three days, the Western New Mexico University women’s tennis team defeated Tarleton State and came close in a few other matches.
“The women’s team had a tough weekend playing five matches in three days due to different circumstances. However, they fought really well and had some close matches,” Head Coach Yair Banuelos said. “We won some and unfortunately we couldn’t close some important matches. I think we learned a lot from this weekend and the ladies will come stronger next time that we play these teams.”
In the first matches of the week, the Lady Mustangs fell to Western Michigan, 6-1, and then to St. Edward’s, 7-2. WNMU opened against Division I Western Michigan. In doubles play, the Lady Broncos took all three doubles to pick up the one point. Ganna Tiurina (Kiev, Ukraine/M.M. Gromov #227)/Annica Betz (Celle, Germany/Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria Gymnasium) fell at the top flight, 1-6. Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado)/Pauline Emin (Viry, France/Lycee Arbez Carme) grabbed two games before a 2-6 loss at No. 2. In the final doubles slot at No. 3, Claudia Osuna (Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico/Tec Milenio )/Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) were defeated, 0-6.
In singles, Tiurina collected the only point at No. 1 as she won the first set, 7-5 and after dropping the second, 1-6, she battled to win the third set super tiebreaker, 10-8. Emin and Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) each played to a 7-5 set in their matches. At No. 5, Emin lost the first set, 2-6 and then came close in the second before a 5-7 setback. At No. 6, Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) came close in the opening set, 5-7, before dropping the second set, 3-6. Betz at No. 2 and Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) at No. 3 each won four games. Betz lost in the opening set, 1-6 and then tallied three games in the second set before a 3-6 loss. Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) came out strong posting her four games in the first set before a 4-6 setback and then dropped the second, 0-6. Osuna at No. 4 fell, 1-6, 0-6.
Later in the day against regional opponent St. Edward’s the Lady Hilltoppers posted a 7-2 win. In doubles, Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado)/Emin came closest at No. 2 grabbing five games before a 5-8 loss. Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado )/Osuna at No. 3 snagged three games before a 3-8 loss. At the top flight, Tiurina/Betz fell, 1-8.
In singles, Tiurina and Emin snagged victories. Tiurina at the top flight cruised to a first set 6-0 win and then had to go to a tiebreaker in the second before claiming the 7-6 straight set win. Emin had no issues at No. 5 with a 6-1, 6-3 victory. Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) went three sets at No. 6 as she won the first set, 6-0, but then couldn’t quite claim the second set falling, 5-7, and then dropping the super tiebreaker in the third, 8-10. Betz recorded seven games at No. 2 coming within a few points of the first set before a 4-6 loss. In the second set she collected three games before a 3-6 loss. Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) nearly came back at No. 3 after a 0-6 loss in the first set to win the second before a 5-7 loss. Osuna then fell at No. 4, 2-6, 3-6.
On Sunday, WNMU then went against Texas-Permian Basin, falling 4-5, and then coming back to beat Tarleton State, 5-4. In the first match against the Lady Falcons, the Lady Mustangs fell behind 2-1 after doubles. Tiurina/Betz fought hard to come away with a 9-8 win at the top flight. Osuna/Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) came close at No. 3 before a 6-8 setback. Emin/Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) posted four games before a 4-8 loss.
In singles, Tiurina posted a pair of shutouts in her top flight match in a dominating 6-0, 6-0 victory. Osuna at No. 4 came out strong with a 6-1 first set win and then finished off the win with a 6-3 second set victory. Emin had similar results with a 6-3 first set win and then a shutout 6-0 in the second. Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) and Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) each went three sets in their matches. Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) lost the first set, 4-6, but then came back strong with a 7-6 tiebreaking win in the second before dropping the third, 2-6. Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) was ready in the first set jumping out to a 6-3 win before dropping a tough second set, 5-7 and third, 3-6. Betz nearly pulled out the first set at No. 2 winning five games before a 5-7 setback. She then dropped the second, 1-6.
WNMU had the same start against the Lady Texanns in their next match falling behind 2-1 after doubles. Tiurina/Betz kept their momentum going with an 8-5 win at the top flight. Osuna/Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) nearly won their match at No. 3 before a 6-8 loss. At No. 2, Diamond Morrill (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad)/Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) grabbed five games before a 5-8 loss.
In singles, Tiurina rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 victory. Osuna, Emin and Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) then claimed victories at No. 4-6 to pick up the victory. Osuna grabbed a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 4, Emin added a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 5 and then a 7-5, 6-2 win for Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) at No. 6. Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) fell in straight sets at No. 3, but came close to winning each set falling, 5-7, 4-6. Betz won two games in each set before a 2-6, 2-6 loss.
WNMU wrapped up the week on Monday against Dallas Baptist falling 5-0 as they played to clinch due to rain. In doubles, Osuna/Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) pushed their match at No. 3 to the distance before falling, 8-9. Tiurina/Betz at No. 1, along with Morrill/Ashley Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado) at No. 2 ended up falling by the same scores of 4-8.
In singles, Tiffany Newell (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado ) won six games at No. 6 before a 4-6, 2-6 loss. Emin dropped her match at No. 5, 2-6 0-6.
Following the matches this week, the Lady Mustangs are now 4-8 overall on the season. They will head to California on March 13 where they will face San Diego Christian and Armstrong Atlantic on the trip.
