LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Feb. 1) - The New Mexico State men's tennis team blew past UC Riverside on Friday, Feb. 1, for day one of the team's three-day stretch in Las Vegas, Nev. The 4-0 win over the Highlanders puts the Aggies at a 3-1 advantage this season.

NM State clinched the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and 3 spots. Senior Luis Ramirez and junior Marc Westgate paired up for an 8-2 win at the top doubles position, while Daniel Fernandez and Paul Denele secured the point with an identical score. With Yannik Blank and Naveen Manivannan battling at the second spot, the match was called before the conclusion.

"We played very well today," head coach Carlos Vargas said. "It's good to have a win under our belts as we look forward to a tough match versus UNLV tomorrow."

As singles play began, it took the work of Fernandez, Denele and Paul Pfister to carry the Aggies to the 4-0 victory. Fernandez worked for a 6-3, 6-3 win at the second slot and Denele picked up his fourth straight singles win in straight sets.

Pfister earned a victory over Kevin Griffin with a 6-2 score in both sets.

Ramirez competed at the top spot in singles, Westgate on the second court and Strahinja Trecakov played at No 6 for the Aggies, but the matches were left unfinished.

The Aggies now set for a dual with host UNLV on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m.

NM State (3-1) 4, UC Riverside (0-3) 0

Doubles

Ramirez/Westgate def. Griffin/Vizcarra 8-2

Blank/Manivannan vs Ruffin/Ngo 7-4 DNF

Fernandez/Denele def. Gastao/Peters 8-2

Singles

Ramirez vs Julian Ruffin 6-3, 5-3 DNF

Westagate vs Luis Gastao 3-6 2-3 DNF

Fernandez def. Calvin Ngo 6-3, 6-3

Denele def. Kevin Griffin 6-1, 6-3

Pfister def. Kelly Dickson 6-2,6-2

Trecakov vs Vizcarra 6-2 1-6 2-2 DNF