Saturday, March 24, 2001

Lady Bronc Tennis Tops Belmont University 6-1

NASHVILLE, TEN - The University of Texas-Pan American women’s tennis team defeated the Belmont Bruins 6-1 at the Belmont University Tennis Center Friday. The Lady Broncs claimed four of the five singles matches to clinch the victory.

In singles play, freshman Celine Merlini set the pace by defeating Alba Garcia 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1. Freshman Jessica Brown and Alana Breen collected wins at No. 3 and No. 4 for the Lady Broncs. Senior Mireya Villareal outplayed Kristina Mukhslyan at the No.5 singles. Brown and Villarreal also earned victories at No. 2 doubles.

On Saturday, the Lady Broncs fell short against Tennessee-Martin 5-1. Merlini collected the lone victory for UTPA as she defeated Martha Montano 6-4, 6-0 at No. 1 singles.

The Lady Broncs (6-10) are back in action on Sunday March 25th as they take on Western Kentucky University at 9 a.m. and Austin Peay State at 3 p.m.

SINGLES - BELMONT
#1 - Celine Merlini (UTPA) def. Alba Garcia (BU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2                                                                         #2 - Starr Steffner (BU) def. Eve Nickelson (UTPA) 6-2, 6-2                                                                           #3 - Jessica Brown (UTPA) def. Katie Kelsey (BU) 6-3, 6-0                                                                            #4 - Alana Breen (UTPA) def. Carrie Osborne (BU) 6-3, 5-7, (10-5 super tiebreaker)                                           #5 - Mireya Villareal (UTPA) def. Kristina Mukhsiyan (BU) 6-1, 6-2                                                                 #6 - Belmont defaultS

DOUBLES                                                                                                                                                #1 - Steffner/Garcia (BU) def. Merlini/Nickelson (UTPA) 8-2                                                                            #2 - Brown/Villareal (UTPA) def. Kelsey/Osborne (BU) 8-6

SINGLES - TENNESSEE MARTIN                                                                                                               #1 - Celine Merlini (UTPA) def. Martha Montano 6-4, 6-0                                                                               #2 - Karla Azuara (UTM) def. Eve Nickelson 6-1, 6-1                                                                                    #3 - Ana Bakran (UTM) def. Jessica Brown 1-6, 6-3, 6-1                                                                                  #4 - Masumi Yamamoto (UTM) def. Alana Breen 6-1, 6-3                                                                                 #5 - Georgina Argaez (UTM) def. Mireya Villareal 6-2, 6-0                                                                             #6 - Olivia Shipley (UTM) def. Erica Espinosa 6-1, 6-2

Teams only played singles matches