EL PASO, TEXAS – The Aggies were firing on all cylinders to start competition at the UTEP Invitational in El Paso as they took on UT Permian Basin in a hidden dual.
 
NM State flexed its muscles early, going a perfect 4-0 in doubles play before nearly posting an undefeated record in singles play – winning seven of eight matches.
 
DOUBLES

• The duo of Natsuki Nishimura and Dora Kurdi picked up their first win of the fall season as they defeated the Falcon team of Olga Guillamon and Montse Salazar by a dominant score of 6-0.
• Miranda Bishard and Lisa Zhu joined forces for the first time this season as they also combined to take down Lisa Guitton and Jenny Nguyen, 6-1.
• The tandem of Anna Pinaieva and Bella Nguyen also had success as they were on the court together for the first time this year, toppling Brooke Runyan and Teodora Vrucan, 6-3.
• The final doubles match of the day featured Melissa Cartis and Georgia Townsend who improved to 2-1 on the season after earning a victory over Briana Garcia and Viktoriia Sholudko (6-4).

 
SINGLES

• Lisa Zhu continued the Aggies' strong day as she defeated Teodora Vrucan, 6-1, 6-0, in the top draw.
• In Draw Two, Anna Pinaieva battled to her third win of the season as she bested Jenny Nguyen, 6-4, 6-0.
• Natsuki Nishimura extended her singles win streak to five matches after she defeated Brooke Runyan, 6-3, 6-1, in Draw Two.
• After dropping the first set 6-1, Miranda Bishard bounced back nicely to win the second and third sets 6-4 and 6-1, respectively, to get the better of Lisa Guitton in Draw Three.
• Bella Nguyen picked up win number three of the fall season as the senior took down Montse Salazar, 6-1, 6-2.
• Melissa Cartis had the most dominant win of the day as she skated past Olga Guillamon in the sixth draw.
• Finally, Dora Kurdi topped Briana Garcia, 6-1, 6-3, to move to 4-4 on the season.

 
UP NEXT
The Aggies will get a tougher test tomorrow morning as they take on a talented New Mexico squad. NM State is set to begin its matches against UNM on Saturday at 9 a.m.
 
DOUBLES
Draw 1 - Bishard/Zhu def. Guitton/Nguyen, 6-1
Draw 2 - Pinaieva/Nguyen def. Runyan/Vrucan, 6-3
Draw 3 - Nishimura/Kurdi def. Guillamon/Salazar, 6-0
Draw 4 - Cartis/Townsend def. Garcia/Shodulko, 6-4
 
SINGLES
Draw 1 - Lisa Zhu def. Teodora Vrucan, 6-1, 6-0
Draw 2 - Anna Pinaieva def. Jenny Nguyen, 6-4, 6-0
Draw 3 - Natsuki Nishimura def. Brooke Runyan, 6-3, 6-1
Draw 4 - Miranda Bishard def. Lisa Guitton, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1
Draw 5 - Bella Nguyen def. Montse Salazar, 6-1, 6-2
Draw 6 - Melissa Cartis def. Olga Guillamon, 6-0, 6-0
Draw 7 - Dora Kurdi def. Briana Garcia, 6-1, 6-3
Draw 8 - Clara Sobius (TSU) def. Georgia Townsend, 6-1, 6-4