Lopes fall to Aggies in WAC final

Sunday, April 28

Brownsville, Texas

7 a.m.

Grand Canyon

New Mexico State

4/28/2019 12:35:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

Championship comes down to wire in Texas

By: Jerob Moon

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The Grand Canyon women's tennis team fell 4-3 to New Mexico State in the WAC Tournament championship match Sunday. The dual came down to the last singles match and the Aggies (16-9) squeaked out the win.

In doubles, the Lopes (10-9) were unable to win at the top positions and dropped the point. Sophomore Autum Prudhomme and junior Celia Morel won 6-1 at No. 3 for their 11th win in row but New Mexico State won at Nos. 1 and 2 to take a 1-0 lead. Emilia Occhipinti and Celina Buhr lost 6-3 and sophomores Martina Lo Pumo and Ludovica Infantino lost 6-4.

Despite the early 1-0 deficit, the Lopes responded early in singles. Occhipinti and Infantino won in straight sets to regain the lead. After a loss by Lo Pumo at No. 4, Buhr won 6-4, 6-2 to give GCU a 3-2 lead.

Leading by one with two matches to play, the Lopes were on the brink of claiming the title. The Aggies tied the match at No. 6 with a 6-2, 6-3 win against Prudhomme. Then, they took the win with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win over Morel at No. 2.

Despite the loss, the Lopes saw improvement from last season, advancing farther in the WAC Tournament with a younger team from a year ago. For 2020, the Lopes will return every player from this year's squad with some strong additions.