Fraboulet Comes Close to Singles Win Against NMSU

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Junior Liam Fraboulet (Lycée Kerraoul, Paimpol, France/Lycée Kerraoul) has battled some tough opponents at the top flight this year and his matchup Wednesday was no different. He pushed New Mexico State's Chris Goncalves to a third set, before Goncalves held on for the win. The Aggies started strong in doubles on their way to taking the 7-0 victory.

WNMU (3-17) had opportunities at each doubles position, but NMSU (14-8) was able to claim all three matches to earn the point. Senior Pablo Santibanez (Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico/CETYS Universidad)/freshman David Valles (Guadalajara, Mexico/HYCIG) won four games in their match at No. 3, 4-6, senior Zachary Grabovic (Melbourne, Australia/St. Kevin's College)/junior Niko Barr (Whakatane, New Zealand/Trident) tallied three games at No. 2, 3-6, while senior Vladimir Gnilozubov (Kazakhstan, Astana/Kazakhstan)/Fraboulet won two games at the top flight, 2-6.

In singles, Fraboulet went toe-to-toe with Goncalves who has 25 singles victories this season. After dropping the first set, 3-6, Fraboulet fought back with a 6-3 win in the second and came close in the third before falling just short, 5-7. Gnilozubov won six games at No. 2, featuring a tight first set, 4-6 and then fell in the second, 2-6. Grabovic at No. 4 and Valles at No. 5 each won five games in their matches as Grabovic had a similar opening set like Gnilozubov coming up just short, 4-6 and then dropped the second 1-6. Valles also had a pretty close first set before a 3-6, 2-6 setback. Santibanez won three games at No. 6, 1-6, 2-6 and Barr won two games at No. 3, 1-6, 1-6.

WNMU will now travel to Corpus Christi, Texas to compete in the Lone Star Conference Championships beginning this Friday against No. 16 Midwestern State with first serve at 1 p.m. Mountain Time.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Liam Fraboulet: 5' 11"; Junior

Vladimir Gnilozubov: 5' 8"; Senior

Zachary Grabovic: 6' 0"; Senior

Pablo Santibanez: 6' 1"; Senior

David Valles: 5' 9"; Freshman

Niko Barr: 6' 0"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Liam Fraboulet
: 5' 11"; Junior

Vladimir Gnilozubov
: 5' 8"; Senior

Zachary Grabovic
: 6' 0"; Senior

Pablo Santibanez
: 6' 1"; Senior

David Valles
: 5' 9"; Freshman

Niko Barr
: 6' 0"; Junior