LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's tennis team will get an opportunity to reclaim the Western Athletic Conference Championship title on Sunday, April 30, when it squares off against UMKC at 9 a.m. (MT).  The Aggies advanced to the title match after defeating a short-handed UT Rio Grande Valley team 4-1 Saturday afternoon in front of the Aggie faithful at the NM State Tennis Center.

NM State defeats @UTRGVWmnsTennis 4-1 on court #5 6-4, 6-4 and moves on to face UMKC in the @WACSports title match Sunday. #AggieUp pic.twitter.com/C3Ol9toWAP

— NM State WTEN (@NMStateWTEN) April 29, 2017

 
NM State (11-12) started with an advantage against UTRGV due to the Vaqueros not having a third doubles team. The ever so consistent No. 2 doubles team for New Mexico State in Vanessa Valdez and Rebecca Keijzerwaard ousted UTRGV's team 6-2 for the quick doubles point.
 
The Aggies opened singles action with a 2-0 lead due to the Vaqueros defaulting on court No. 6 due to it not fielding a player. Rimpledeep Kaur, the reigning WAC Player of the Year, dominated UTRGV's top singles player 6-1, 6-0 and gave NM State a huge 3-0 lead.
 
Dominique Esparza gave the Vaqueros its lone point at No. 2 singles when she defeated Vanessa Valdez 6-4, 6-3. Marie-Pier Thiffault took the second set 6-4 and forced a third set against Marine Darzyan on court No. 4. That delay gave Las Cruces native Lindsay Harlas enough time to clinch the match for NM State at No. 5 singles 6-4, 6-4.
 
Pending any unforeseen weather delays, Sunday's WAC Women's Tennis Championship match is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. (MT) at the NM State Tennis Center.