WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita State men's tennis team fell in a close match at home to the New Mexico Lobos, 4-3, at Genesis Health Clubs on Friday afternoon.
 
The Shockers (2-5) have now lost back-to-back matches while New Mexico (6-2) has won four consecutive matches and have won five of their last six.
 
"I thought we had some chances across the board today that we didn't capitalize on," head coach Darragh Glavin said. "Doubles could've gone either way today and we had some close sets in singles we could've pulled out but didn't."
 
Despite the loss, Glavin was happy his team competed well against a good New Mexico team.
 
"We've gotten better as a team for sure," said Glavin. "We're going to keep working and get back to it for Sunday against UTSA."
 
The doubles point was one of the closest in recent memory, with all three courts being decided in a tiebreak. Ultimately, the Lobos would prevail winning at court one 7-6 (3) and court two 7-6 (5). This was the first time since March 11, 2021, that the Shockers had at least two doubles courts be decided by a tiebreak.
 
Singles was another back-and-forth battle, but ultimately the Lobos would prevail, winning four of six singles matchups to take the 5-2 win.
 
Misha Kvantaliani won first in singles with a 6-4, 6-3 win at court two to even the match at 1-1.
 
Ziwen Ju would fall soon after at court six, 6-3, 6-4, giving the Lobos the lead back.
 
UNM's Adra Azkara rallied back to defeat Alejandro Jacome at No. 1 singles 2-6, 6-0, 6-2, to make it 3-1 New Mexico.
 
The Lobos locked up victory with a defeat of Vanja Hodzic at court two, winning, 6-4, 7-6 (5).
 
With the teams playing out the final two courts, Marcelo Sepulveda grabbed a solid win in straight sets at court four, 7-5, 6-4. 
 
Luke Bracks was the last to finish at court five, winning his match in a ten-point tiebreak in the third set, 6-4, 2-6, 11-9.
 
This was the first of two matchups for the Shockers against New Mexico, as the two teams will square off again on March 13 in Wilmington, North Carolina. 
 
"We'll know what we're playing against next time around and we'll really believe that we can beat them."
 
The Shockers will get a quick chance at redemption, as they are set to face American Athletic Conference opponent UTSA on Sunday at 11:00 AM at Genesis Rock Road.