The men's tennis team had a perfect weekend. On Friday, the Mustangs were up against nationally-ranked opponents on the same day and nabbed both victories. In a rematch with Sonoma State, WNMU clinched a 5-3 win. The Mustangs squeaked by Cal Poly-Pomona, 5-4, in a heated match in the late afternoon.

Versus Sonoma State, WNMU had a strong showing by No. 2 doubles Kyle Lynch (Albuquerque, NM, New Mexico Military Institute High School) and Flavio Rueda (Mazatlan, Mexico, Universidad Autonoma de Durango, Riverside Community College) with an 8-1 victory. No. 1 doubles Yair Banuelos (Mexico City, Mexico, Universidal del Valle de Mexico, Riverside Community College) and Henning Thrien (Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Carl Friedrick Gaus Gymnasium, Hope International University), however, did not have such an easy match. Down 6-1, the duo came back with a 9-7 win.

Like his doubles match, Lynch finished his singles competition quickly, winning 6-2 and 6-1. The Mustangs were up 4-3 with two matches still to finish and needed to tack on one more point. Banuelos and Devin Stroman (Silver City, NM, Silver High School) forced a third set, but it was Banuelos that finally clinched the win (6-3, 5-7, 6-3).

In the second match of the day, WNMU started on fire, sweeping all three doubles competitions. Singles was more challenging. Lynch, once again, won easily at No. 2 (6-2, 6-2), but No. 3 through 6 all went to the Bronchos.

It came down to Banuelos at No. 1. He won the first set fairly easily at 6-3. Banuelos then was up 4-1 in the second set but came up short, losing 7-6. In the end, the Mustang won in a thrilling third set, 7-5.

“I knew that this was a great position for Banuelos to be in because he has a gift of performing well in clutch matches,” says head coach Erik Burton. “I could not be happier at this point for this squad.”

Click here for Sonoma State results.

Click here for Cal Poly-Pomona results.