LAS CRUCES - NM State's men's tennis team opened the fall tournament season in dominating fashion Friday, Sept. 11, at the Aggie Fall Invitational, as returning players showed strong signs of progression from last season.
After receiving byes in the opening round, seniors Gustave Diep and Eduardo Salas won their only singles match of the day to move on to the quarterfinals, which will be played Saturday.
"We did very well and I'm very pleased with the way things turned out," Head Coach Don Ball said. "We're more concerned about the team's progression, but we're pleased that the players stepped up today."
The Aggies won seven of 10 singles matches and four of six doubles matches on the day. Salas and Diep also won their doubles match against Abilene Christian University 8-5. Juniors Jim Brouleau and Arthur Surreaux combined to win both of their doubles matches, sending them to the semifinals, which will be played Saturday.
NM State continues play Saturday at 9 a.m. at the NM State Tennis Center. The Aggies look to continue their success in both singles and doubles matches.
Aggie Fall Invitational - Day One Results
Crimson Singles Flight - Round of 32
Stakne, Matej NMSU, def. Campbell, Eldad ACU, 6-2; 6-4
Crimson Single Flight - Round of 16
Brouleau, Jim NMSU, def. Ramadier, Hugo NAU, 6-3; 6-2
Embry, Geoff Arizona, def. Morales, Armando NMSU, 6-0; 6-1
Stakne, Matej NMSU, def. Flodberg, David NAU, 7-6; 6-1
Banuelos, Yair WNM, def. Surreaux, Arthur NMSU, 7-4; 6-4; 7-5
Diep, Gustave NMSU, def. Hawk, Luke ACU, 6-2; 6-0
Salas, Eduardo NMSU, def. Johnson, Alex UA, 7-6; 6-4
White Singles Flight - Round of 16
Salazar, Luke NMSU, def. Stroman, Devin WNM, 6-2; 6-3
Brown, Josh NAU, def. Duran, Craig NMSU, 4-6; 7-6; 6-3
Keaton, Scott NMSU, def. Perez, Andres NAU, 6-3; 6-2
Doubles Flight - Round of 16
Brouleau, Jim/Surreaux, Arthur def. Pezzutto, Robin/Ramadier, Hugo 8-3
Diep, Gustave/Salas, Eduardo def. Roy, Dennis/Strahl, John 8-5
Brown, Josh/Reiff, Andrew def. Morales, Armando/Stakne, Matej 8-5
Duran, Craig/Keaton, Scott def. Almeida, Camilo/Stroman, Devin 8-6
Doubles Flight - Quarterfinals
Brouleau, Jim/Surreaux, Arthur def. Campbell, Eldad/Proctor, Brett 8-2
Embry, Geoff/Jason, Zafiros def. Duran, Craig/Keaton, Scott 8-3
Courtesy: Tim Barnett-Queen
