Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
New Mexico
Tennis recap: Rams advance to Round 2 in MWC championships
4/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 27, 2011
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By Amanda Bader
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Colorado State women's tennis team advanced to the quarterfinals in the MWC championships after defeating No. 8 seed New Mexico Wednesday at CSU's University Tennis Complex.
After battling through nearly five hours of play, the Rams (10-13) gained their first conference victory, clinching a 4-3 win over the Lobos (8-16). The key point of the day was in doubles as CSU gained an early lead, according to Head Coach Jon Messick.
"Even though we were on the courts for four and-a-half hours, I think the match was won after the doubles point," said Messick. "We played the best doubles we have played all session."
Caitlin Fluegge and Tori Arneson were the first to finish for the Rams, defeating Anya Villanueva and Ashley Boner of New Mexico, 8-1. Lauren Mulhern and Kaley Schultz followed with an 8-4 win over Nikolina Grbac and Micheala Oldani.
New Mexico was quick to tie up the match, however, notching a victory at No. 3 singles. But CSU responded with a win at No. 4 singles by Schultz as she defeated Kristin Eggleston in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5.
UNM then gained two straight wins at Nos. 2 and 1 singles, allowing the Lobos to take the lead, 3-2.
"They stopped us on a few courts, but we were able to battle through and put up a good fight," said Messick.
Colorado State tied up the dual for the final time as Veronika Wojakowska clinched a victory over New Mexico's Oldani, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3.
Melissa Holzinger finalized the Rams' win over the Lobos as she won her first set, 6-1, before falling in the second, 4-6. In the third frame, though, Holzinger came from behind, 2-3, to win the decisive set, 6-3.
"It was a little nerve racking to know that the match rested on my shoulders," said Holzinger. "It was exciting, though, that I was able to secure the win for my team."
Colorado State will return Thursday at 2 p.m. to face the No. 1 seed, UNLV. The Rebels were 8-0 in MWC play this season with a 19-4 overall record.
The quarterfinals are set to begin Thursday at 10 a.m. MT. The semifinals will take place Friday, concluding with the championship Saturday at 10 a.m. MT.
All matches will take place at the University Tennis Complex located south of the main Colorado State campus, on Research Blvd. north of Drake. Live stats will be available through the themwc.com. Tickets are available at the door.
Wednesday's results (Colorado State 4, New Mexico 3)
Doubles:
1. Fluegge/Arneson (CSU) def. Villanueva/Bonner (UNM) 8-1
2. Mulhern/Schultz (CSU) def. Grbac/Oldani (UNM) 8-4
3. Bezdickova/Eggleston (UNM) def. Wooldridge/Wojakowska (CSU) 5-4 (did not finish)
Singles:
1. Michaela Bezdickova (UNM) def. Caitlin Fluegge (CSU) 6-4, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3)
2. Anya Villanueva (UNM) def. Tori Arneson (CSU) 6-0, 5-7, 7-6 (3)
3. Nikolina Grbac (UNM) def. Lauren Mulhern (CSU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Kaley Schultz (CSU) def. Kristin Eggleston (UNM) 7-5, 7-5
5. Veronika Wojakowska (CSU) def. Michaela Oldani (UNM) 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3
6. Melissa Holzinger (CSU) def. Laura Richardson (UNM) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
