RENO, Nev. - Playing for the first time in 19 days, the University of Hawai`i women's tennis team suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to UTEP, in a Western Athletic Conference match-up, Friday afternoon on the campus of the University of Nevada. The Rainbow Wahine dropped to 9-11 overall and 1-2 in WAC play.

In the No. 6 court, UTEP's Danielle King rallied for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Kimberly Curtis, to clinch the deciding fourth point for the Miners. Freshman Mio Fukushima won both of her matches, defeating Joanna Furdyna, 7-5, 6-3 in the No. 4 position and teaming with senior Stacy Hakikawa for an 8-4 victory over King and Elisa Bjorklund at No. 3 doubles.

Sophomore Lauren Fitzgerald picked up her team-leading 13th singles victory after sweeping Kendall Exelby, 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 1 position, for her fifth victory in her last six matches. Freshman Renata Camargo continued her winning ways with a 6-3, 5-7, 4-0 ret. victory over Bjorklund at the No. 5 spot. Camargo improved her singles record to 10-2 and currently boasts the team's longest win streak at four.

The Rainbow Wahine continues its road trip with a match against San Jose State, Saturday, before finishing up against Nevada, Sunday.

Match Results
UTEP 4, Hawai`i 3

Singles
Lauren Fitzgerald def. Kendall Exelby (UTEP), 6-1, 6-1
Martina Rezar (UTEP) def. Paige Mainor, 6-3, 6-1
Tea Spirta (UTEP) def. Stacy Hakikawa, 6-2, 6-3
Mio Fukushima def. Joanna Furdyna (UTEP), 7-5, 6-3
Renata Camargo def. Elisa Bjorklund (UTEP), 6-3, 5-7, 4-0 ret.
Danielle King (UTEP) def. Kimberly Curtis, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
Exelby/Rezar (UTEP) def. Boutet/Curtis, 8-6
Spirta/Adriana Boykova (UTEP) def. Fitzgerald/Mainor, 8-3
Hakikawa/Fukushima def. King/Bjorklund (UTEP), 8-4

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