Feb. 21, 2008
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —- The University of New Mexico men’s tennis team takes its 4-4 record to Las Cruces for two matches this weekend. The Lobos will square off against New Mexico State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. UNM will attempt to increase the 9-6 lead it has in the Rio Grande Rivalry.
On Sunday, the Aggies loan New Mexico and Texas Tech their courts for a neutral match at 1:00 p.m.
The Lobos fell from No. 49 to 57 after dropping a match to No. 65 Denver last weekend. The Lobos finished the weekend 2-1 after beating Oregon and Northern Arizona.
New Mexico State brings a three-match winning streak to the courts. They are 3-2 overall after defeating Idaho, Northern Arizona and Utah State more than a week ago. The Aggies have not played since Feb. 10. The Lobos have a commanding 85-9 lead in the series against New Mexico State. New Mexico has won seven straight matches.
Texas Tech rides into Las Cruces with a No. 31 ranking and a 6-1 mark after suffering its first loss of the season to No. 63 TCU on Sunday. New Mexico holds a 37-11 advantage in the series against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were victorious in the two most recent meetings in 2003 and `04.
New Mexico has won four matches this season, outscoring its opponents by 16 points. The Lobos beat No. 67 Utah 4-1 to open the season. Then after dropping three straight, the Lobos upset No. 50 Middle Tennessee State 4-3. They won two of three home matches last weekend, beating Oregon 6-1 and sweeping Northern Arizona.
New Mexico has also lost four matches this season being outscored by a total of six points. Boise State, ranked No. 22 at the time, handed New Mexico back-to-back 4-3 loses. No. 34 Vanderbilt sent the Lobos off with their worst loss this season at 5-2. Denver, No. 65, joined the list of 4-3 victories over the Lobos last Friday.
The next home match for the Lobos is Wednesday, Feb. 27 against Sacramento State at 5:00 p.m. The Lobos will spend almost a month on the road afterward.