Match One
NM State (0-0) vs. Arizona (1-0)
Friday, January 29 | 3:00 p.m. | El Paso Tennis and Swim Club | El Paso, Texas
THE FIRST SERVE
• Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Emily Wang, the NM State women's tennis team is set to start its 2021 campaign Friday afternoon when it hosts Pac-12 adversary
Arizona. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. at the El Paso Tennis and Swim Club.
• As a result of a recent amendment to New Mexico's COVID-Safe Practices for Intercollegiate Sports, NM State is once again allowed to conduct full practices (more than five people) within the state of New Mexico. The Aggies cannot, however, play any matches within state lines.
• The Aggies return all but one of their players from a pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season while welcoming two newcomers - Duquesne transfer Miranda Bishard and freshman Alexia Di Giulio - into the fold.
• Harsha Challa piled up the most singles wins (three) and doubles wins (two) among NM State's group of those returning from the previous season. She earned the title of WAC Singles Player of the Week one time last spring.
• Challa was joined in doubles play by Gavi Kalaga and the pair put up a 2-5 record in two-on-two play last spring. The WAC recognized the pair as its WAC Doubles Team of the Week one time in the spring of 2020.
• As is the case for all NCAA women's tennis players, none of the Aggies used up a season of eligibility last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic which brought NCAA championship events and sports to a close in mid-March of 2020.
SCOUTING ARIZONA | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATISTICS
• The Wildcats' Friday afternoon showdown with NM State is the first of three matches they will be playing in El Paso, Texas, over the weekend. Arizona is scheduled to face off with both Texas Tech (Jan. 30) and UTEP (Jan. 31) during its weekend in the Lone Star State.
• Arizona started its 2021 season last Saturday (Jan. 23) in Phoenix, Ariz., where it scored a 5-2 non-conference victory over Grand Canyon. The Wildcats swept the doubles point and emerged as the victors in four of the six singles bouts to come away with the win.
• Senior Emily Maxfield heads into this weekend's matches in possession of a No. 90 singles ranking from the ITA.
• Before NCAA play was halted last spring due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Wildcats stood at 5-3.
• Last season's dual match singles wins leader, Gitte Heynemans (5-2) is one of seven returners the Wildcats have back from their 2019-20 squad.
LAST TIME OUT vs. ARIZONA | Arizona 6, NM State 1 | Feb. 15, 2020
• Harsha Challa came back from a 6-1 loss in the opening set to claim a 1-6, 6-2, 10-6 triumph in her top-flight singles match, but that was the lone victory the NM State women's tennis team was able to register as the Aggies dropped a 6-1 decision to Pac-12 foe Arizona in Tucson.
COMING UP NEXT
• Following their showdown with the Wildcats, NM State will enjoy a break of one week before its next match. On Friday, Feb. 5, the Aggies to Salt Lake City, Utah, for a second-straight matchup with a Pac-12 foe. That day, they'll take on Utah at 1:00 p.m.
++NM State++
