LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After a very successful fall season, New Mexico State men's tennis team is eager to open its 2017 dual season this Friday, Jan. 27, when it hosts Mesa Community College at the NM State Tennis Center.
 
The Aggies and Thunderbirds are schedule for a 2 p.m. start to finish the doubleheader with the women playing at 10 a.m. against the T-Birds as well.
 
HANDFUL OF AGGIES EARN REGIONAL RANKINGS
With the start of dual season on the horizon, a trio of Aggie singles players led by Christofer Goncalves and two doubles teams were ranked in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rankings.
 
Goncalves, who wrecked opponents in the fall going 15-2, is ranked No. 6 in the mountain region while Sergi Espias as ranked No. 16 after going 12-2 in the fall his first year with the Aggies. Enrique Asmar, who sports a 10-3 record, rounds out the ranked players in singles action for NM State at No. 19. All three have won at least one flight this past fall as well.
 
In doubles play, Goncalves and teamed up with Luis Flores to go 11-3 at No. 1 during the fall season and earned a No. 3-ranking in the mountain regional rankings. Mauri Benitez and Stijn de Haan are ranked 10th in the region.
 
ROAD WARRIOS
With just three matches at home in the regular-season, New Mexico State will be tested mightily this season. Other than the two final games of the regular-season at home, the only other time the Aggies will be home is when it hosts the WAC Championship April 28-30.
 
There will be 75 days or roughly two and a half months between Friday's match and the Aggies' next match at home on April 16 against UTPB.
 
UP NEXT
After opening its 2017 dual season at home, the men's tennis will hit the road for 18-consecutive road matches before returning home on April 16 (UTPB) and April 18 (Western New Mexico) for their two remaining matches of the regular-season.