Glendale, Ariz.- Arizona Christian was turned away by NCAA DII Western New Mexico in their 2021 season debut.  The match also marked the start of the Phil Carlisle coaching era.

Match Info

• Match score: Western New Mexico - 7, Arizona Christian - 0
• Records: Arizona Christian - 0-1, Western New Mexico - 2-0
• Location: Paseo Racquet Center, Glendale, AZ

Inside The Box Score

• The Mustangs swept doubles to start the match
• Deondra Bacchus and Karla Grobbelaar put up a fight before falling in 6-4 on court one
• WNMU won the first three completed singles matches
• Sydney Smyth dropped a close first set 6-4 before falling 6-1 in the second set
• Making her ACU Debut, Bacchus won her first set in tie break fashion but came up just short in the last two sets

Scores v Western New Mexico

Doubles

1. Julia Tozzi/Camila Gomez (WNMU-W) def. BACCHUS, Deondra/GROBBELAAR, Karla (ACU) 6-4

2. Julia Terrazas/Massiel Paredes (WNMU-W) def. SMYTH, Sydney/SALIM, Samantha (ACU) 6-3

3. Kajsa Gedlitschka/Nicold Gonzalez (WNMU-W) def. No player/No player (ACU), by forfeit

Singles

1. Julia Tozzi (WNMU-W) def. BACCHUS, Deondra (ACU) 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 1-0 (10-5)

2. Camila Gomez (WNMU-W) def. GROBBELAAR, Karla (ACU) 6-2, 6-1

3. Kajsa Gedlitschka (WNMU-W) def. SMYTH, Sydney (ACU) 6-4, 6-1

4. Julia Terrazas (WNMU-W) def. SALIM, Samantha (ACU) 6-2, 6-2

5. Nicold Gonzalez (WNMU-W) def. SCHOENEN, Sylvie (ACU) 6-1, 6-0

6. Massiel Paredes (WNMU-W) def. No player (ACU), by forfeit

Thoughts From Coach Carlisle

"This was a great first match for us. We knew it would be tough, but both teams came out with fantastic energy and focus. The girls also started really well, and we had plenty of chances in both doubles matches to get leads, but just did not capitalize on our opportunities.  Singles was much of the same, plenty of opportunities, but just did not play the big points well enough.  The scores really do not reflect how competitive some of those matches were.  I am really thrilled with the way the girls played tonight and we will take a lot of positives away from this match."

Up Next

ACU will play two on Saturday.  First, their GSAC opener against OUAZ will take place at the Paseo Racquet Center at 11:00 am.  The Firestorm will then transition to the Phoenix Tennis Center to host Colorado Mesa at 4:00 pm.