FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – After competing against two in-state PAC-12 rivals, the Northern Arizona women's tennis team will hit the road again Friday, Feb. 2 to compete in three matches through Sunday, Feb. 4.
Northern Arizona will first travel to Las Cruces, N.M. to take on New Mexico State Friday at 9:30 a.m. and Abilene Christian Saturday at 10 a.m. The following day, the Lumberjacks will travel across country to compete against the University of Texas – El Paso at 10 a.m.
The Lumberjacks are currently 0-2 on the season against Arizona State and Arizona.
Against the Sun Devils, NAU's No. 53 doubles pair
Hanneke Lodewijks and
Chiara Tomasetti notched the only court win 6-2 over No. 28 Savannah Slaysman and Tereza Kolarova. Against the Wildcats, NAU's other nationally ranked duo No. 56
Brandy Walker and
Eirene Granville picked up the only win for 'Jacks over U of A's Marie Van Aelst and Gitte Heynemans 6-3.
This weekend will mark one of two, not including the Big Sky Conference, where the Lumberjacks will compete in three consecutive matches.
Highlight Reel
- Sophomore Chiara Tomasetti was the first Lumberjack in the 2018 season to pick up an Athlete of the Week honor Jan. 24.
- Last season the Lumberjacks finished on top as the 2017 Big Sky Regular Season champions after recording an 18-5 overall record and an undefeated 11-0 conference record.
- As of Nov. 15, doubles pair Hanneke Lodewijks and Tomasetti are nationally ranked No. 53 while duo Brandy Walker and Eirene Granville are ranked No. 56.
Weekend Scout
New Mexico State
Friday, Feb. 2 | 9:30 a.m.
NM State Tennis Center | Las Cruces, N.M.
The Aggies will host Northern Arizona and Abilene Christian after going 1-1 to start their season. New Mexico State fell to UNLV 7-0 before picking up their first win against another Big Sky opponent Weber State 5-2. The seven-woman Aggie roster is led by newly named head coach Emily Wang. Last season, New Mexico State finished 11-13 overall and did not compete against the Lumberjacks. The last time these two teams met was in February 2016 in New Mexico and Northern Arizona won 4-0.
Abilene Christian
Saturday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m.
NM State Tennis Center | Las Cruces, N.M.
Abilene Christian is currently 2-2 on the season with shutout wins over Oral Roberts and Dallas Baptist. The seven-woman roster is led by head coach Hutton Jones, who is the longest-serving active head coach at the university currently in his 21st season. Last year, the Wildcats finished the season 17-6 overall and 8-3 in the Southland Conference. The last time Abilene Christian competed against the Lumberjacks was in the fall season.
UTEP
Sunday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.
El Paso Tennis Club | El Paso, Texas
The University of Texas – El Paso will host the Lumberjacks for the first time since losing to them in March last year this Sunday, Feb. 4. Much like the Lumberjacks the Miners' roster includes four freshmen and four upperclassmen. The Miners are led by newly named head coach Ivan Fernandez, who came from New Mexico State last season. UTEP won four matches in 2017 with victories over UT Arlington, Sacramento State, Nebraska-Kearney and Colorado.
Coming Up
Northern Arizona will compete in their home opener against the University of New Mexico Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. The Lumberjacks will begin a four-match home stretch starting against the Lobos. All home matches will be played in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex and are free to the public.
