For Immediate Release: February 2, 2001
Contact: Derek Smolik, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations

UT Pan American Women’s Tennis Splits Pair of Matches Against Missouri, Sam Houston

SAN MARCOS – The University of Texas-Pan American women’s tennis team won four of six singles matches to defeat Sam Houston State University 4-3, and earn a split of matches for the day in action Friday.

The Lady Broncs, who are off to their best start in three years were led by Celine Merlini and Eve Nickelson, who both overcame injuries to win their matches in straight sets.  Merlini, a freshman from Vevey, Switzerland, rolled past Ivette Andrade, 6-0, 6-4, at number one singles.  The win was Merlini’s team high 11th of the season.  Nickelson, playing number two in singles, fought for a tough 6-3, 7-5, win over Stephanie Sutton.

Jessica Brown won her seventh match of the season, a 6-0, 2-6, 10-4, decision over Jayme Holmstrom at number five.  Alana Breen rolled to an easy 6-2, 6-0, win over Kim Jordan at number six singles.  Sam Houston State won the doubles point after the Lady Broncs were forced to forfeit matches at number one and two doubles due to injuries.

In the first match of the day, the Missouri Tigers swept the Lady Broncs 6-0.  Doubles were not played.  Merlini nearly pulled off a big upset when she took the early lead on Urska Juric, winning the first set 6-4.  Juric won the second set 6-2 and took the super tiebreaker by a 10-4 count for the win.  Nickelson dropped a 6-3, 6-2, decision at number two to Caitlin Thompson.

With the win the Lady Broncs improved to 2-1 on the season, already surpassing their 1999-00 total.  UTPA will return to action on Saturday when they face Southwest Texas State at 9 a.m.

Missouri 6, UTPA 0
San Marcos, Texas
February 2, 2001

Singles
No. 1 – Urska Juric (UM) d. Celine Merlini (UTPA), 4-6, 6-2, 10-4
No. 2 – Caitlin Thompson (UM) d. Eve Nickelson (UTPA), 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 – Kristina Olshanskaya (UM) d. Julie Fife (UTPA), 6-2, 6-1
No. 4 – Cassie Drake (UM) d. Mireya Villareal (UTPA), 6-0, 6-0
No. 5 – Andrea Friedman (UM) d. Jessica Brown (UTPA), 6-1, 6-0
No. 6 – Marina Zelenovich (UM) d. Alana Breen (UTPA), 6-0, 6-1 

Doubles
Were Not Played.

UTPA 4, Sam Houston State 3
San Marcos, Texas
February 2, 2001  

Singles
No. 1 – Celine Merlini (UTPA) d. Ivette Andrade (SHSU), 6-0, 6-4
No. 2 – Eve Nickelson (UTPA) d. Stephanie Sutton (SHSU), 6-3, 7-5
No. 3 – Andrea Slatter (SHSU) d. Julie Fife (UTPA), 6-3, 6-2
No. 4 – Diala Ammar (SHSU) d. Mireya Villareal (UTPA), 6-1, 6-0
No. 5 – Jessica Brown (UTPA) d. Jayme Holmstrom (SHSU), 6-0, 2-6, 10-4
No. 6 – Alana Breen (UTPA) d. Kim Jordan (SHSU), 6-2, 6-0 

Doubles
No. 1 – Ammar/Andrade (SHSU) d. Fife/Merlini (UTPA), def.
No. 2 – Slatter/Sutton (SHSU) d. Brown/Nickelson (UTPA), def.
No. 3 – Jordan/Holmstrom (SHSU) d. Breen/Villareal (UTPA), 8-3

Record: UTPA 2-1.