CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The New Mexico State men's tennis team wrapped up the H-E-B Tournament Saturday afternoon with a gritty 4-3 win over UT Rio Grande Valley Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.
 
Doubles action went in favor of the Aggies in order with Stijn de Haan and Mauri Benitez winning 6-0 before Enrique Asmar and Louis Menard took down their counterparts 6-3 on court No. 2. The Aggies had a 4-3 lead on court No. 3 as well when play was halted after NM State clinched the doubles point.
 
In singles action, de Haan gave NM State the 2-0 lead when he grinded out a 7-6, 7-6 win at the No. 1 singles position. Freshman Martin Simecek extended that lead to 3-0 after taking down George Hutchings in three sets 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.
 
UTRGV cut into the lead with wins on courts No. 2 and No. 5 over Menard and Asmar, respectively. Nicolas Buitrago had a one set lead over Mateo Schmit at the No. 6 position but ended up dropping his match when Schmit rallied back to win the set 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 – which tied the match up at 3-3.
 
Fittingly, the match came down to the senior Benitez on court No. 4 and he answered big for the Aggies. Trailing by a set, Benitez forced a third set clawed his way to victory and clinched the match for New Mexico State 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
 
The Aggies remain on the road and head to Dallas next week as they take on Prairie View A&M and UT Arlington.