SKILLMAN, NJ – After collecting some impressive regional wins over nationally ranked St. Mary’s and St. Edward’s, the Western New Mexico University men’s tennis team vaulted 15 spots to No. 33 in the latest ITA rankings.
WNMU is the highest ranked team out of the RMAC as Colorado Mesa comes in 42nd. The teams that the Mustangs beat, St. Edward’s (34) and St. Mary’s (35) are now right behind WNMU in the poll. When it comes to the regional rankings, WNMU moved to third behind only Midwestern State and Cameron in the South Central.
The Mustangs also have several players ranked in the region in singles including #10 Juan Pablo Fuentes (Guadalajara, Mexico), #11 Jean-Laurent Pageault (Perrigny, France/Academi des Hauts de Nimes) and #16 Tristan Da Lio (Casablanca/Academie des Hauts de Nimes). The doubles combo of Fuentes/Pageault is ranked 10th.
Fuentes is on a two-match winning streak coming away with a straight set win against Division I New Mexico State and this past Saturday coming back to win in three sets versus Mesa CC. He is now 4-8 overall on the season, with every match coming at the top flight. In doubles action, he has collected three wins, most recently with Alvaro Nunez (Madrid, Spain) at the No. 2 slot against Mesa CC.
Pageault won four straight at one point this season, with three coming at No. 2 and the other at the top flight. Wins during that stretched included St. Mary’s, New Mexico Military Institute, Texas-Permian Basin and St. Edward’s. He is 4-9 on the season, with all but two matches coming at No. 2. In doubles play he has four wins, collecting one most recently against Mesa CC with Omar Lopez (Naucalpan, Mexico) at No. 3.
Da Lio is near the top on the team in singles victories, going 6-8, after winning his last match in straight sets against Mesa CC. He has played all but three of his matches at No. 3. He has three wins in doubles play, playing anywhere from the top slot to No. 3.
The Mustangs, 6-9 overall on the season, return to action on April 3 when they will open RMAC play against Montana State-Billings and Colorado Christian in Denver.
