PHOENIX – Sophomore Enrique Asmar clinched the match-winning point for New Mexico State as men's tennis team edged host Grand Canyon 4-3 Friday afternoon in its Western Athletic Conference opener.
 
GCU (11-10) opened the match with a win on court No. 3 to start doubles play, 6-3. The Aggie (10-5) pair of Mauri Benitez and Stijn de Haan won their match at the No. 2 slot, 6-4. The top doubles pair of Christofer Goncalves and Luis Flores captured the doubles point for NM State moments later when they dispatched GCU's tandem 6-4.
 
Goncalves, NM State's leader in wins with 17, made quick work of Francois Musitelli 6-1, 6-1 and gave the Aggies a 2-0 lead. The Lopes tied things up at 2-2 when it took courts No. 4 and No. 2 from NM State.
 
De Haan broke the tie and put NM State back on top 3-2 after he defeated Adrian Legarreta 7-6, 6-2 at No. 3 singles. That win on court No. 3 from de Haan set up Asmar, who clinched the match for New Mexico State when he ousted Justin Cvitanovic 6-2, 6-4. GCU took court No. 6 to end the match, but it was too little too late as the Aggies came away with the 4-3 road victory.
 
NM State will now face Chicago State at noon on Saturday, March 25, to wrap up its first WAC pod competition in Phoenix.