EDINBURG, Texas - Some impressive showings in singles play allowed the NM State women's tennis team to remain atop the Western Athletic Conference standings.
NM State remained in the ranks of the WAC's unbeaten squads, moving to 3-0 in league action by scoring a 4-3 victory over Dixie State Friday afternoon at the Orville I. Cox Tennis Center on the campus of UTRGV.
DOUBLES
• It looked as though the Aggies were poised to win the doubles point after Harsha Challa and Gavi Kalaga started tandem play with a 6-1 triumph on line one. The Trailblazers had other idea, though.
• Chloe Gavino and Bella Nguyen fell 6-4 on line two as did Miranda Bishard and Lucija Josipovic on line three, allowing Dixie State to open up a 1-0 lead.
SINGLES
• Thanks to Kalaga, NM State's deficit didn't last too long. The junior scored a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Emma Templeman on line four, knotting the match at 1-1.
• Nguyen handed the Aggies the lead for the rest of the day with her singles triumph. Competing in the fifth flight, Nguyen picked up a 6-0, 6-2 win over Rachel Mellor.
• Bishard ceded just a single game in her third-flight battle with Sabrina Longson. NM State's competitor controlled play and emerged with a 6-0, 6-1 win to put her team on the cusp of victory.
• Dixie State battled back when Josipovic was out-dueled 6-1, 6-1 by Juliana Honczaruk in flight six play.
• Fortunately, the Trailblazers' comeback bid came to an end thanks to Gavino. NM State's sophomore was a 6-3, 6-1 victor against Alexandra Hildreth in second-flight action.
• Friday's match wrapped up in top-flight play as Challa was edged 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (10-8) by Kyra Haramas.
COMING UP NEXT
• In order to keep its perfect WAC record intact for another weekend, NM State will have to get by league and NCAA Division I newcomer Tarleton State Saturday morning. The Aggies and Texans are set to clash at 8:00 a.m. from the Orville I. Cox Tennis Center.
++NM State++
