LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State head men's tennis coach Carlos Vargas reloads his team with the addition of Sergi Espias and Luis Flores Pliego for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
 
"Sergi and Luis both bring depth and experience to help our young group of returners and replace our graduating class," Vargas said. "Sergi comes in with a wealth of experience being one of the top players in Catalunya, Spain, and knows what it takes to be successful having been named the Great American Conference Player of the Year. Luis is one of the top junior players in Mexico. He's got a ton of international experience in both singles and doubles, which will be a great asset for us."
 
Espias comes to Las Cruces after spending his sophomore (2015-16) season at East Central University, a Division II school located in Ada, Oklahoma. With the Tigers, Espias was a unanimous First-Team All-GAC pick and also hauled in GAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors.
 
He predominantly played at the No. 1 singles slot (10-4) and owned a 17-6 overall mark – including a 3-0 record in the Great American Conference. Espias was ranked as high as No. 5 in singles play according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings for Division II. In doubles action, the 5-7 Spaniard went 11-9 and 2-2 in GAC play. Espias went 6-6 at No. 3 doubles, 3-1 at No. 2 doubles and 0-1 in the No. 1 slot.
 
Prior to ECU, Espias started his collegiate career at Auburn Montgomery, a perennial NAIA powerhouse in men's tennis, where he went 8-2 and 5-0 in Southern States Athletic Conference play. In doubles action, Espias went 4-1 overall and 2-0 in SSAC play. Espias also helped guide the Warhawks to the semifinals of the NAIA Men's National Championship.
 
Joining Espias in Las Cruces this upcoming fall is Pliego, who hails from Queretaro, Mexico. He joins the Aggies with plenty of experience on the junior circuit both in Mexico and abroad. In 2014, Pliego claimed the Harry Gilbert's December L6 Tournament with a 1-6, 6-2, 10-5 victory over second-ranked Mason Beiler. Three months prior, he reached the round of 16 at the BSAC Tennis Jr. Fall Classic L7 Tournament. In 2015, Pliego advanced the semifinals in doubles play with Edson Ortiz Tovar at the Monterray San Agustin ITF Junior Cup.