FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Although the score shows the No. 27 Western New Mexico University men's tennis team lost to Division I Northern Arizona 7-0, it was much closer than that. The Mustangs had chances in several singles matches to claim points.
 

"The team played good against a good team like NAU and a big crowd at their new tennis facility.  The match was very close despite the final score.  We had three matches losing in three sets and the other three with opportunities to close out sets.  We started the match well by holding on to the nerves, and we put ourselves in a good place by creating opportunities to serve for the set and close out matches," Head Coach Yair Banuelos said. However, we lost a little bit our composure in those moments and didn't capitalize those opportunities well.  We have to get better in those moments because good teams like NAU don't give you second chances when they have the opportunity. This was a great match that we need to learn from it.  In the long run, I think this match will make us stronger for the rest of the season."

Three singles matches went three sets and all of the doubles matches were close. Freshmen Blayze O'Keefe (Las Vegas, NV)/Liam Fraboulet (Lycee Kerraoul, Paimpol, France) fell just short at No. 3 doubles, 4-6. Redshirt sophomore Tristan Da Lio (Casablanca/Academie des Hauts de Nimes)/sophomore Vladimir Gnilozubov (Kazakhstan, Astana/Kazakhstan) were trailing just 4-5 at the top flight when the match was halted with the doubles point already decided. Junior Jean-Laurent Pageault (Perrigny, France/Academi des Hauts de Nimes)/sophomore Pablo Santibanez (Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico/CETYS Universidad) fell at No. 2, 3-6.

In singles, Fraboulet at No. 5 claimed an opening set 7-6 in the tiebreaker and after dropping the second, 3-6, he battled in a super tiebreaker before coming up just short, 8-10. Da Lio rallied from a 3-6 loss in the first set to claim the second, 6-1. He eventually fell 2-6 in the third set at No. 3. O'Keefe also went three sets in his match at No. 4. He also grabbed the first set, 6-4 and then after a close 4-6 loss in the second, he dropped the third, 0-6. Santibanez at No. 6 lost in straight sets, but had a chance to close it out in both. He was ahead 5-4 serving in the first set before falling in a tiebreaker, 6-7. Then in the second set he was in front 5-2 and serving before Jackson Lee stormed back to claim the 5-7 second set. Pageault at the top flight dropped his match in straight sets, but also had a strong shot to win a set. In the opening set he was in front 5-4 serving for the set before a 5-7 setback. He then lost in the second, 2-6.

WNMU (2-3) will head to California this coming Thursday as they will play five matches in four days.