Hernandez Tong Wraps Up Fall Season at ITA Fall National Championships

PALM DESERT, Calif. — The University of New Mexico’s Ricky Hernandez Tong wrapped up the fall season for the UNM men’s tennis team as he traveled to one of the most competitive and challenging tournaments in the country this week.
 
He played his first match in the Round of 64 at the ITA Fall National Championships on Tuesday, Nov. 1 against No. 50 Lucas Poullain of Florida State but was outmatched in two sets 6-0, 6-1. This placed him in the Consolation Draw of the tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 2 in a battle with No. 122 Mitch Harper of Virginia Tech. In the end, he fell short 7-5, 6-1.
 
“This was a great learning experience for Ricky,” assistant coach Robin Goodman said, “to come out to, arguably, the strongest individual tournament of the year and test his skill level against some of the best players in the country. I’m so excited to work with Ricky and the rest of the team to help push our tennis to the next level. It’s been an extremely successful fall season for our program. I can’t wait to see what this group of very talented men can do in the spring.”
 
In the meantime, the Lobos will start preparing for the upcoming Spring 2018 season – which is right around the corner. The first match of the season will take place on Jan. 20, 2018 in Lubbock, Texas against UT Rio Grande Valley and the first home match of the season will be a week later on Jan. 27 against Northern Arizona.
 
Keep up with the team on Facebook (UNM Men’s Tennis Team), Twitter (@UNMLoboMTennis) and Instagram (@unmlobomtennis) for updates, events and more as the Spring 2018 season approaches.