The New Mexico women’s golf team wrapped up its fall season at the Jim West Challenge, marking the end of the season with a commendable 11th-place finish. The final round at the Kissing Tree Golf Club in San Marcos, Texas, saw the Lobos shoot 6-over, concluding the event at 3-under.
Notable Performances and Top Finisher
In the midst of tough competition, Lauren Lehigh stood out as the Lobos’ top performer, securing her third top-10 finish of the season. Lehigh shot an even-par final round of 72, ultimately finishing T-9th at 9-under. Myah McDonald posted a score of 73, Lisa-Marie Pagliano with 74, and Maria Caparros Levin with a 75. Ciara Rushmer rounded out the lineup with a final round score of 80.
Coach’s Perspective
Head coach Jill Trujillo reflected on the team’s performance, saying, “We didn’t bring our A-game today. It was a very frustrating day, but we will learn from it.”
Upcoming Spring Season
While the fall season has come to a close, the Lobos have their sights set on the spring season, starting on February 2-3 when they will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, for the Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Virginia.
Arda Azkara’s Semifinal Journey Ends at Stillwater
In the semifinals at Stillwater, Oklahoma, Arda Azkara, seeded fifth, faced a challenging opponent in the form of the sixth-seeded Alejandro Garcia. Despite a valiant effort, Azkara lost in three sets with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Azkara’s Impressive Tournament Run
Azkara’s journey to the semifinals was nothing short of impressive, going 4-1 with two victories over seeded players. The UNM tennis team, as a whole, demonstrated a remarkable performance in the tournament, with eight players earning a combined record of 19-9 in the main draw and 19-10 overall in singles. The Lobos had four players reach the Round of 16, and two advanced to the quarterfinals.
Upcoming Tennis Action
The Lobos’ tennis team will take a break before their next competition, as they prepare for the SMU Invitational in Dallas from November 3-5.
Singles Highlights
The singles competition showcased the Lobos’ resilience and talent, with notable performances by several players. Arthur Bellegy’s victory over Stefanos Savva and Arda Azkara’s dominant win over Rudolf Christiansen were among the standout moments.
Doubles Round
In the doubles round, UNM’s pairings displayed their skills, with Georgia Samaha and Nicolas Recoura earning a victory, although the top-seeded Drake pair proved formidable opponents.
As the fall season winds down and the Lobos look ahead to their spring campaigns, these recent performances offer both optimism and room for growth in the upcoming season.