by Arthur Simoni
Daily Lobo
The UNM women's tennis team wrapped up a successful weekend Sunday at the Lobo Invite, taking two out of three doubles matches from the University of Houston and sweeping six singles matches against New Mexico State University.
Against the Cougars, the No.1 doubles team of freshman Maya Kovacek and junior Sandy Lukowski outlasted Analia Longini and Karine Urbin 8-6.
"It was a really tight match and Sandy's experience really pulled me through. We fought well," Kovacek said.
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At No. 2 doubles, sophomores Tiffany Robertson and Michelle Heidbrink jumped out to an early 5-2 lead against Miranda Foley and Yolandi Torblanche, but the Houston duo was able to rattle off seven straight games to win the match 8-6.
Senior Rachel Hatley and junior Maria Ruiz-Fabrega dominated at No. 3 doubles, trouncing the Cougars' Sandy Blajar and Sarah Flood 8-1.
"We started the match strong and were able to maintain that throughout the whole match," Ruiz-Fabrega said.
After a short break, the Lobos took on the Aggies in singles competition. The tournament format did not keep team scores but the Lobos were desperate to perform well against NMSU.
"There is a big rivalry," Robertson said. "We've always been on top of them except for the last two years and I definitely think we've got them this year. We did them 3-0 in the doubles and I think we're definitely stronger."
Robertson proved to be right, as UNM took all six matches from the Aggies.
Kovacek was in trouble early at the No. 1 singles, as she fell behind 5-2 to Stella Veerman in the first set. She fought her way back behind powerful serves and heavy groundstrokes to win the next five games and take the first set 7-5. She continued her dominance in the second set, winning 6-2. Kovacek finished the fall season with an 11-1 record.
"I had a poor start and I struggled with my serve but I knew I had to hang in there," Kovacek said. "The second set went pretty good. I enjoyed myself out there."
At No. 2 singles, junior Tjasa Suvak beat Lejla Porobic 7-5, 6-1 in a match that mirrored Kovacek's. Suvak fell behind early but battled her way back for a decisive victory.
"I started really slow and I wasn't really warmed up," Suvak said. "I just started playing well and everything came out like I wanted it to."
On Friday, the Lobos split 3-3 against Boise State in singles, with Kovacek, Heidbrink and Lukowski winning their matches. UNM swept NMSU in doubles on Friday.
In Saturday's action, the women swept Houston in singles, but were unable win any doubles matches against Boise State. The Lobos are out of action until January, but are hoping their strong play this weekend carries over into the spring season.
"This is the time of the year to work on things," assistant coach Roy Ca§ada said. "It's a little bit of a warm up or a little taste of things to come. All these girls are very self-motivated and when they're out there on the court they want to win."
