Jan. 29, 2006

The University of Texas-Pan American dropped a pair of matches on the first day of its 2006 season against UTEP and Middle Tennessee State at the Anne Marie Tennis Center in San Antonio, TX, on Saturday (Jan. 28).

UTEP 6, UTPA 1
The Lady Broncs got their lone victory of the day when Elysia Sloan (Duncanville, TX/Duncanville H.S.) came back from one set down to capture a 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5) victory over Vicky Michaud. Sloan also competed in doubles with newcomer Sheila Mabulac (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg H.S.), but were handed an 8-2 setback to Teri Wilkerson and Michaud.

Silke Buksik (Waiblingen, Germany/Salier-Gymnasium Waiblingen) battled with Wilkerson, but dropped a 7-6, 6-0 decision to the Miners' sophomore. Danielle King also handed Nicole Garcia (Cibolo, TX/Lee College) a straight-set victory, 6-0 and 6-1. The duo of Buksik and Garcia dropped a close 9-7 match to King and Megan Pritchard.

Marine de Bourqueney (Paris, France/Fenelon Sainte Marie) fell to Pritchard in a pair of sets, 6-3 and 7-5, while Jessica Nanez (Hidalgo, TX/Hidalgo H.S.) fell 6-0 and 6-0 to Sandra Spirta. Nanez and de Bourqueney also fell as a team to Spirta and Amber Brightly by an 8-4 count.

Middle Tennessee State 6, UTPA 0
In the top flight, Buksik lost to Marlene Chemin in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-2, while UTPA newcomer de Bourqueney dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision to Claudia Szabo.

Mabulac and Sloan were each handed straight set losses in their first match of the season. Elvira Yusupova recorded a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Mabulac, and Ann-Kristin Siljestrom picked up the 6-1, 6-0 triumph against Sloan.

In the final two flights, Garcia dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision to Kelly Adams while Pooja Kommireddi of MTSU posted a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Nanez.

UTPA will be back in action on Saturday (Feb. 4) in Abilene, TX, where the Lady Broncs will have a pair of matches against Abilene Christian and Stephen F. Austin.

UTPA Sports Information