“It was very tough getting over that loss yesterday, so it was good to come out and get a solid win today,” NM State head coach Ivan Fernandez said. “It’s very difficult to play against teams like (UTPB) because you don’t know what to expect but I thought we handled it well.”
NM State continued its strong doubles’ play at home by sweeping the Falcons in all three doubles’ matches.
The No. 1 Aggie paring of senior Susana Alcaraz and junior Erika Castillo Lopez extended their doubles’ win streak to five with a 6-1 victory against Lisa Roslanova and Andrea Villalobos.
Junior Ashvarya Shrivistava had a new doubles partner for the first time this season, as freshman Rimpledeep Kaur was unable to compete due to a back injury.
Senior Denise Van Der Ben, who is coming off an ankle injury, filled Kaur’s void, while teaming up with Shrivistava to handle Alexandra Maytubby and Shelby Greene, 6-1, to clinch the doubles’ point for the Aggies.
“We had to make some adjustments, but we were still able to play well,” Fernandez said. “Winning all three doubles’ matches was a good way for us to come out.”
In singles play, the Aggies dominated the first three courts as the top three individuals were the first to finish their matches.
Shrivistava, Alcaraz and Van Der Ben all won their respective singles’ matches without dropping set.
Junior Mia Brandt and sophomore Marie-Pier Thiffault also claimed two-set victories over the Falcons No. 5 and No. 6 individuals.
The lone UTPB point came when Villalobos defeated Castillo Lopez, 7-5, 6-2, in the No. 4 spot.
NM State has had an eventful spring season so far, with injuries, single-point losses and numerous changes in the line-up. The Aggies have also picked up wins against tough opponents including their first ever victory over UNLV on Feb. 8.
“I would say that we’ve had an average season so far. I know we’ve had to battle some injuries but I think our record could be better,” Fernandez said. “But overall I think we’re on the right path for the conference tournament.”
NM State women’s tennis will look to continue its strong play at the NM State Tennis Center when they host Stephen F. Austin on Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m.
Texas-Permian Basin at NM State Women’s Tennis
March 1, 2015 Las Cruces, N.M.
Match Results
Singles competition
1. Ashvarya Shrivistava (NMSU) def. Lisa Roslanova (UTPB) 6-1, 6-2
2. Susana Alcaraz (NMSU) def. Shelby Greene (UTPB) 6-0, 6-2
3. Denise Van Der Ben (NMSU) def. Alexandra Maytubby (UTPB) RETIRE
4. Andrea Villalobos (UTPB) def. Erika Castillo Lopez (NMSU) 7-5, 6-2
5. Mia Brandt (NMSU) def. Krissy Chavez (UTPB) 6-3, 6-4
6. Marie-Pier Thiffault (NMSU) def. Sydney Holdampf (UTPB) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Susana Alcaraz/Erika Castillo Lopez (NMSU) def. Lisa Roslanova/Andrea Villalobos (UTPB) 6-1
2. Ashvarya Shrivistava/Denise Van Der Ben (NMSU) def. Alexandra Maytubby/Shelby Greene (UTPB) 6-1
3. Mia Brandt/Chloe Jolliff (NMSU) def. Krissy Chavez/Sydney Holdampf (UTPB) 6-4