LOGAN, Utah – Utah State women's tennis (3-5, 0-0 MW) will compete in two matches in El Paso, Texas, this weekend, beginning with UTSA (5-5) on Saturday, Feb. 23, at noon (MT) followed by UTEP (1-5) on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. (MT) at the El Paso Tennis Club.
"We are excited to head to Texas and get some outdoor tennis in," said head coach Sean McInerney. "We are starting to play at a much higher level as a team and this is a great opportunity to keep getting better."
Utah State is led by freshman Sidnee Lavatai, who is 5-1 in singles. Lavatai was recently tabbed Mountain West women's tennis player of the week for her 4-0 combined performance against Grand Canyon and Idaho. Junior Lucy Octave is 4-3, including a 3-0 mark at the No. 4 spot, while junior Rhoda Tanui is 3-3, sophomore Alexandra Pisareva is 2-1, junior Hannah Jones and freshman Annaliese County are both 2-4, sophomore Alexandra Taylor is 0-5 and freshman Gabrielle Dekkers is 0-6 in singles play. In doubles, Octave and County are 5-1, including 3-1 at the No. 2 spot, Pisareva and Lavatai are 3-0 and Taylor and Jones are 3-2 at the No. 1 spot. Utah State has won the doubles point in each of its last three matches.
This will be the first meeting between USU and UTSA as the Roadrunners are 5-5 on the season. UTSA is led by junior Kylee Kato, who is 5-3, while the doubles team of Kato and freshman Jasmine Starr are 6-3 at the first doubles position.
The Aggies and Miners have met eight times, with UTEP leading the series, 6-2. UTEP began the season with a 7-0 win against Western New Mexico, but have lost five-straight matches. Freshman Kirsten Prelle is 3-2, freshman Rine Nozaki is 2-2, while three other Miners have one win apiece. In doubles, Prelle and freshman Kathleen Percegona are 3-1, junior Vanessa Valdez and senior Yvette Van Oijen are 3-2 and sophomore Erandi Martinez and Nozaki are 1-2.
Fans can follow USU's women's tennis team on Twitter @USUWomensTennis, on Facebook at UtahStateWomensTennis or on Instagram @USUWomensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter at @USUAthletics, on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics or on Instagram at @USUAthletics.
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