ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- The UTEP tennis team picked up two singles wins and a win at doubles on the third day of the 2016 USTA/ITA Mountain Regionals in Albuquerque, N.M.
Vivienne Kulicke and Milou Pietersz advanced after defeating Montana State’s duo of Laura Middel and Chloe Goyette, 8-7 (8-6). In quarterfinals, UTEP knocked off Colorado’s freshman Chloe Hule and former Miner, Jeannez Daniel, 8-7, and will move onto the semifinal-round of the tournament.
UTEP has not advanced a doubles team to the semifinals in at least 15 years.
In singles, Raven Bennett, Milou Pietersz and Lois Wagenvoort took on opponents in extra matches. Bennett topped Lily-Ana Kreutzer, a sophomore out of Northern Colorado, 6-1, 6-2. Lois Wagenvoort won her match against sophomore Demi Perkinson from BYU, 6-2, 6-2. Milou Pietersz lost, 1-6, 6-4, 10-8, against UNLV’s Cristina Moroi.
Vivienne Kulicke took on a tough battle against Denver’s Bianca Mok but the Miner fell, 6-3, 6-4
The Miners haven’t advanced to the round of 16 since 2004, when UTEP’s Tea Spirta advanced before being eliminated in the singles main draw of the Wilson/ITA Southwest Regional. Spirta came from a set down to win her round of 32 match over LSU’s Tiffany Tucker in three sets before dropping a 6-2, 6-0 decision to Jenny Langer of SMU
The tournament will continue on Saturday at the New Mexico campus.
2016 USTA/ITA Mountain Regional Championships
Day 3 Results
DOUBLES
Round of 16- Kulicke/ Pietersz def. Middel/Goyette (Montana State) 8-7 (8-6)
Quarterfinals- Kulicke / Pietersz def. Hule/ Daniel (Colorado) 8-7 (8-6)
SINGLES
Round of 16 – Bianca Mok (Denver) def. Vivienne Kulicke 6-3 6-4
Extra Matches- Raven Bennett def. Kreutzer (Northern Colorado) 6-1 6-2
Extra Matches – Cristina Moroi (UNLV) def. Milou Pietersz 1-6 6-4 10-8
Extra Matches – Lois Wagenvoort def. Perkinson (BYU) 6-2 6-2
