For Immediate Release: March 10, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS DOWN SAN FRANCISCO STATE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –The University of Texas-Pan American women’s tennis team was victorious on the second match of their spring break trip, sweeping host San Francisco State, 7-0, Sunday.

Sophomore Celine Merlini (Vevey,Switzerland/Cessev HS) and junior Elisabet Mateos (Barcelona, Spain/Arnau Cadell HS/Laredo CC) defeated Amanda Wilson and Elly Swetz at number one doubles. Merlini also defeated Wilson at number one singles, 6-3, 6-1, while Mateos downed Swetz at number two singles. Mateos won the first set, 6-2, and Swetz had a 1-0 lead in the second set when she had to retire due to an injury.

Senior Eve Nickelson (Franklin, TX/Franklin Hs/Temple JC) and sophomore Jessica Brown (Sioux City, IA/North HS) of UTPA defeated Erin Feely and Maria Canizales at number two doubles, 8-3. Nickelson downed Canizales at number four singles, 6-4, 6-2, while Brown defeated Jenny Underwood at number six, 6-1, 6-1/

Freshmen Ana Pena (McAllen, TX/Nikki Rowe HS) and Kathryn Waslen (Calgary, AB/West island College) also won twice each. They defeated Underwood and Tiffany Leslie, 8-1, at number three doubles. Waslen defeated Feely at number three singles, 6-1, 6-1, while Pena downed Leslie at number five, 6-3, 6-2.

”We played much better today,” said UTPA Head Coach Todd Chapman. “We came out with renewed enthusiasm and took care of business. We did a great job in singles. Hopefully, our momentum will carry over to the rest of our matches on the trip.”

The Lady Broncs improved to 2-8 with the victory, while the Gators fell to 4-4.  UTPA will return to action when they visit San Francisco Monday. .
                                                        
                                                            UTPA 7, SAN FRANCISCO STATE 0

DOUBLES

1-Celine Merlini and Elisabet Mateos, UTPA, defeated, Amanda Wilson and Elly Swetz, 9-7

2-Eve Nickelson and Jessica Brown, UTPA, defeated Erin Feely and Maria Canizales, 8-3

3-Kathryn Waslen and Ana Pena, UTPA defeated Jenny Underwood and Tiffany Leslie, 8-1      

SINGLES

1-Merlini, UTPA, defeated Wilson, 6-3, 6-1

2-Mateos, UTPA, defeated Swetz, 6-2, 0-1, retired

3-Waslen, UTPA, defeated Feely, 6-1, 6-1

4-Nickelson, UTPA, defeated Canizales, 6-4, 6-2

5-Pena, UTPA, defeated Leslie, 6-3, 6-2

6-Brown, UTPA, defeated Underwood, 6-1, 6-1

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