For Immediate Release: January 27, 2001
Contact: Derek Smolik, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations

UT Pan American Women’s Tennis Opens Season with Win Over Southeastern Louisiana

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Celine Merlini won a tough three-set match to help lead the University of Texas-Pan American to a 4-3 win over Southeastern Louisiana in women’s tennis action Saturday at the University of Houston Tennis Courts.

Merlini, a freshman from Vevey, Switzerland, had to come from behind to defeat Anna Doan, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.  The win at number one singles broke a 3-3 tie in the match and gave the Lady Broncs a win in the first match of the season.  Also picking up singles wins were Jessica Brown at number five and Alana Breen at number six.  Eve Nickelson and Brown were winners at number two doubles and Mireya Villareal and Breen picked up the win at number three doubles.

“That was a pretty exciting match,” said UTPA Head Coach Scott Howard.  “We got a real good win at number two doubles.  Eve and Jessica got us off to a good start.  Celine isn’t 100 percent, but she rallied to win after dropping the first set.  That was a good win for her.  Jessica Brown played very well, winning both her singles and doubles.  It was a good win for the team, they beat us 7-2 last year.  We have a lot of girls playing their first Division I team match.  To win a match like that was good.”

The Lady Broncs (1-0) will return to action on Friday, February 2^nd against Missouri at 9 a.m. and Sam Houston State at 2 p.m. in San Marcos, Texas.

UT PAN AMERICAN 4, SOUTHEASTERN 3

Singles
No. 1 -- Celine Merlini (UTPA) d. Anna Doan (SLU), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 -- Karin Mohl (SLU) d. Eve Nickelson (UTPA), 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 -- Yessica Rizelia (SLU) d. Julie Fife (UTPA), 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
No. 4 -- Jessica Lewis (SLU) d. Mireya Villareal (UTPA), 6-4, 6-4
No. 5 -- Jessica Brown (UTPA) d. Klementyna Zaruski (SLU), 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 -- Alana Breen (UTPA) won by default

Doubles
No. 1 -- Doan-Mohl (SLU) d. Merlini-Fife (UTPA), 8-2
No. 2 -- Nickelson-Brown (UTPA) d. Lewis-Rizelia (SLU), 8-1
No. 3 – Villareal/Breen (UTPA) won by default

Records -- UTPA 1-0; SLU 0-1