LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Facing Division I New Mexico State University, the Western New Mexico University men’s tennis team collected a point and came close in a doubles match as the Aggies claimed the 6-1 victory.
In doubles play, Tristan Da Lio (Casablanca/Academie des Hauts de Nimes)/Vladimir Gnilozubov (Kazakhstan, Astana/Kazakhstan) went to the wire in their match at the top flight falling, 6-7. Pablo Santibanez (Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico/CETYS Universidad)/Alvaro Nunez (Madrid, Spain) fell at No. 2, 1-6 and at No. 3 Jean-Laurent Pageault (Perrigny, France/Academi des Hauts de Nimes)/Omar Lopez (Naucalpan, Mexico) were defeated, 2-6. With it being a match against a Division I team, doubles counted for just one point.
In singles, Juan Pablo Fuentes (Guadalajara, Mexico) fought through a tough battle at the No. 1 as he won a pair of tiebreakers to take the 7-6, 7-6 victory. Da Lio at No. 3 also went to a tiebreaker in his match before falling, 2-6, 6-7. Pageault won seven games at No. 2 before being defeated, 3-6, 4-6. Nunez was bested at No. 4, 1-6, 4-6, Gnilozubov fell at No. 5, 2-6, 3-6 and Santibanez was defeated at No. 6, 3-6, 3-6.
The win moved NMSU to 3-10 overall, while WNMU is now 5-9 on the season. The Mustangs return to action at home this Saturday when they host Mesa Community College at 10 a.m.
