For Immediate Release: March 11, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS FALL TO SAN FRANCISCO

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –The University of Texas-Pan American women’s tennis team dropped the third match on their spring trip Monday afternoon, losing to host San Francisco, 6-1, at the Golden Gate Park Tennis Center.

Sophomore Celine Merlini (Vevey, Switzerland/Cessev HS) earned the Lady Broncs’ only point, defeating the Lady Dons’ Gabi Ruiz in a pair of tie-breakers at number one singles, 7-6 (7-0) and 7-6 (8-6). Freshmen Ana Pena (McAllen, TX/Nikki Rowe HS) and Kathryn Waslen (Calgary, AB/West island College) were victorious at number three doubles, downing USF’s Michelle Duncan and Nikki Kobayashi, 9-8 (7-4). However, USF won the other two doubles matches, and took the doubles point.

”USF was a good team,” said UTPA Head Coach Todd Chapman. “Our effort was good, but we made too many mistakes. We were very close to winning the doubles point, and we had chances to win the first sets in all the singles matches, but we made too many unforced errors. It was a beautiful day. Hopefully, we’ll have a better day in terms of tennis tomorrow.”

The Lady Broncs dropped to 2-9 with the defeat, while the Lady Dons improved to 3-4. UTPA will return to action when they finish their spring trip Tuesday at San Jose State.
                                                                
                                                         SAN FRANCISCO 6, UTPA 1

DOUBLES

1-Gabi Ruiz and Anna Skogerboe, USF, defeated Celine Merlini and Elisabet Mateos, 8-6

2-Carey Savage and Caroline Tweeton, USF, defeated Eve Nickelson and Jessica Brown, 8-0

3-Kathryn Waslen and Ana Pena, UTPA defeated Michelle Duncan and Nikki Kobayashi, 9-8 (7-4)

                                                                            SINGLES

1-Merlini, UTPA, defeated Ruiz, 7-6 (7-0), 7-6 (8-6)

2-Tweeton, USF, defeated Mateos, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)

3-Savage, USF, defeated Waslen 6-4, 6-1 

4-Skogerboe, USF, lost to Nickelson, 6-0, 6-2

5-Duncan, USF, defeated Pena, 6-3, 6-4

6-Kobayashi, USF, defeated Brown, 7-5, 6-2
                                                                      
                                                                         
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