PHOENIX - A two-year layoff from Western Athletic Conference play didn't diminish the NM State men's tennis team's ability to earn league victories.

Facing off against a shorthanded UTRGV squad, NM State collected a 7-0 victory over the Vaqueros in the Aggies' WAC opener Saturday afternoon at the GCU Tennis Courts.

DOUBLES
• Not being able to field a third doubles team, the Vaqueros ceded flight three to the Aggies. From there, NM State turned to its second-flight team to take the lead for good.
• Corey Clarke and Martin Simecek claimed a 6-3 win over UTRGV's tandem of Te Kani Williams and Matro Schmit, handing NM State a 1-0 lead.

SINGLES
• UTRGV didn't send anyone out in flights five or six, allowing the Aggies to extend their lead to 3-0 with default wins in those slots.
• Nicolas Buitrago delivered the game-winning ball, taking down Samuel De Felipe Garcia 6-1, 6-0 in line two action.
• The Aggies kept their winning ways going for the remainder of the match. Two of NM State's final three singles victories came in two sets and that included Jordy Visser's 6-0, 7-5 triumph against Schmit in fourth-flight action.
• NM State's shutout bid continued on line three as Simecek claimed a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 11-9 victory when matched up against Williams.
• Louis Menard wrapped up the Aggies' shutout win in top-flight action by outpacing Carlo Izurieta 6-4, 6-2.

COMING UP NEXT
• A rematch of the 2019 WAC Tournament championship bout looms for NM State as the Aggies face off against Grand Canyon Sunday morning. First serve from the GCU Tennis Courts is set for 10:00 a.m.

++NM State++