With the win, the Hornets won their eighth match in a row while improving to 11-3 this season. The victory over 46th-ranked New Mexico also marked Sacramento State’s fourth-straight win over a ranked opponent (the ITA ranks the top 75 teams in the nation). The Hornets, who are currently ranked 39th in the nation, have now won 10 of their last 11 matches after beginning the season with a 1-2 record.

New Mexico swept all three doubles matches to take a 1-0 lead heading into the singles portion of play. Sacramento State needed to win four of the six singles competitions to win the match, and that is exactly what the team accomplished.

At the No. 1 singles spot, Karnaukhova improved her record to 13-1 this season by knocking off Maja Kovacek, 6-2, 6-4. Erikson then won at the No. 2 spot over Iva Gercik, 6-3, 6-3. Only a sophomore, Erikson improved to 10-2 this season and now has a 30-4 singles record dating back to last year.

Petersson defeated Nora Quintal at the No. 4 spot, 6-3, 6-3, and Helland clinched the victory for the Hornets with her win over Tiffany Robertson at the No. 6 spot, 6-2, 6-4. Like Karnaukhova, Helland is 13-1 in singles play this year. Sacramento State’s Roberta Fessenko (No. 3) and Anna Karaveyeva (No. 5) each lost their singles matches. Karaveyeva lost to Lucy Scott, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10-6) after the Hornets had already clinched the victory.

Sacramento State returns to the court on Saturday, March 19, as the team hosts a doubleheader against both Eastern Washington (9 a.m.) and Cal State Northridge (2 p.m.). Both matches will be played at Rio Del Oro Racket Club in Sacramento.

Sacramento State 4, New Mexico 3

Doubles

Karnaukhova/Helland (SAC) def by Maja Kovacek/Iva Gercik (UNM) 8-5

Erikson/Petersson (SAC) def by Heidbrink/Robertson (UNM) 8-5

Fessenko/Karaveyeva (SAC) def by Quintal/Scott (UNM) 9-8 (7-4)

Singles

1) No. 23 Margarita Karnaukhova (SAC) def. No. 66 Maja Kovacek (UNM) 6-2, 6-4

2) Anna Erikson (SAC) def. No. 56 Iva Gerci (UNM) 6-3, 6-3

3) Roberta Fessenko (SAC) def by Michelle Heidbrink (UNM) 6-3, 6-3

4) Klara Petersson (SAC) def Nora Quintal (UNM) 6-3, 6-3

5) Anna Karaveyeva (SAC) def by Lucy Scot (UNM) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10-6)

6) No. 61 Cecilia Helland (SAC) def. Tiffany Robertson (UNM) 6-2, 6-4