WAIPAHU - The Hawai'i women's tennis team nearly posted its first victory over a nationally ranked team this season but in the end, dropped a 4-3 decision to No. 26 New Mexico, Monday, at the Central Oahu Tennis Complex. The Rainbow Wahine fell to 7-7 on the year, with all of its losses against nationally ranked teams.

The Lobos got off to a 1-0 lead, after taking two of the three doubles matches. UH posted a win at the No. 3 court as Sylva Jaros and Renata Camargo defeated Nora Quintal and Tjasa Suvak, 8-6.

The Rainbow Wahine and Lobos then split three of the six singles matches. UH's Lauren Fitzgerald posted an impressive victory over Maja Kovacek, 6-3, 6-1, at the No. 1 court. But the Lobos sealed the match victory with straight set wins at the No. 2, 5, and 6 singles spots.

With the match already decided, UH's Jaros and Paige Mainor beat their opponents in super-tiebreakers, at the No. 3 and 4 courts.

UH returns to the court against Colorado State, Wednesday, March 17. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Central Oahu Tennis Complex.


Match Results
New Mexico def. Hawai`i, 4-3
Singles
1. Lauren Fitzgerald def. Maja Kovacek (UNM), 6-3, 6-1
2. Iva Gersic (UNM) def. Justine Boutet, 6-3, 6-2
3. Sylvia Jaros def. Tiffany Robertson (UNM), 7-5, 5-7, (10-5)
4. Paige Mainor def. Sandy Lukowski (UNM), 2-6, 7-5, (10-4)
5. Michelle Heidbrink (UNM) def. Kimberly Curtis, 6-0, 6-4
6. Tjasa Suvak (UNM) def. Kana Aikawa, 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Kovacek/Lukowski (UNM) def. Boutet/Curtis, 8-3
2. Gersic/Maria Ruiz-Fabrega (UNM) def. Fitzgerald/Mainor, 8-4
3. Jaros/Camargo def. Suvak/Nora Quintal (UNM), 8-6



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