Nothing to lose

Aggie men embracing underdog role 

By: Anthony Esparza

NMSU senior Matej Stakne. Photo by: Zack Ponce

It has been an unpredictable season for New Mexico State men’s tennis team, which makes the men’s bracket of the 2012 Western Athletic Conference Tournament all the more intriguing for the Aggies.

The Aggies finished the regular season at 8-14 overall and 2-3 in the WAC. Despite having to rearrange the lineup throughout the season, NMSU men’s tennis coach Carlos Vargas is pleased with the team’s resilience as it enters the WAC Tournament as the No. 4 seed. .

“I’m happy with the way the guys are working, and I also like the way we have gradually continued to improve,” Vargas said. “Even though we’re a little short-handed, the guys in it are working hard and have played very well for us.”

NMSU goes into the WAC Tournament riding a three-match win streak. The Aggies are led by senior Matej Stakne and junior Luis Ramirez. Stakne plays in the No. 1 slot in the lineup and Ramirez is slotted at No. 2.  However, it will take a full team effort for NMSU to challenge the top-seeded Fresno State Bulldogs.

Fresno State has proven to be the team to beat in the WAC. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 34 in the country, and have three seniors on the roster. Fresno State is 17-4 overall and 5-0 in WAC play. The team’s success is largely due to its senior trio.

“Fresno State has separated itself from the pack. They’re going to be a solid No. 1 seed in the tournament,” Vargas said. “After them, it’s really anybody’s match. I think from 2-5 it’s pretty much anybody’s game. All of those teams are pretty close to each other.”

With Fresno State holding the No. 1 seed, the 2-5 seeds feature Idaho, Hawaii, NMSU and Nevada. The Aggies played all three squads this season.

NMSU lost to Idaho and Hawaii during the regular season. The Aggies fell to Idaho 5-2 in Las Cruces, and were edged 4-3 by Hawaii in Fresno, Calif. NMSU fared better against Nevada, defeating the Wolf Pack 4-3 in Reno, Nev.

Despite the ups and downs of the regular season, Vargas said the Aggies are confident and eager to step on the NMSU Tennis Center courts and compete against their WAC foes.

 “We’re the fourth seed, so on paper we’re not supposed to win the tournament or even make it to the finals, but we know better,” Vargas said. “We’re not underestimating ourselves, and we know what we’re capable of doing if we’re all on the same page and play to our full potential.” 

Friday, April 27
Men’s Quarterfinals
Match 1 - No. 4 New Mexico State vs. No. 5 Nevada, 9 a.m.
Match 2 - No. 3 Hawai‘i vs. No. 6 Utah State, noon

Women’s Semifinals
Match 5 - Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 9 a.m.
Match 6 - Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, noon

Saturday, April 28
Women’s Championship
Match 7 - Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 10 a.m. Men’s Semifinals
Match 3 - No. 1 Fresno State vs. Winner Match 1, 1 p.m.
Match 4 - No. 2 Idaho vs. Winner Match 2, 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 29
Men’s Championship
Match 5 - Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 10 a.m.