“It went really well,” Vargas said. “The time change was concerning and we had to make a lot of adjustments. It started very close but about an hour into the matches we began to develop our way. I am very happy about the intensity and good start considering all the changes.”
The Aggies made short work of UMKC in the semifinals as the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5 singles played first, followed by the No. 2, No. 4 and No. 6 singles.
Sophomore Strahinja Trecakov beat UMKC’s No. 1 player Tomas Patino in a hard fought three-set match, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. No. 3 singles player sophomore Liam Goldberg and No. 5 singles junior Patrick Pfister each won their respective matches in straight sets. Goldberg defeated Mike Psarros, 6-3, 6-2, while Pfister beat Uldis Gaismins, 6-4, 6-1.
NM State’s No. 6 singles Naveen Manivannan clinched the Aggies’ spot in the championship match with a straight set win over Conner Edwards, 6-0, 6-2.
“Tomorrow it will be a lot closer with a lot stronger competition as well,” Vargas said. “Whoever we play, it will be a tough match but we are looking forward to it.”
The Aggies will face the No. 2 seed Idaho in the championship match Sunday morning, beginning at 8 a.m. at the NM State Tennis Center. Admission is FREE to the event.
Singles:
NM State Kansas City
#1 Strahinja Trecakov vs Tomas Patino – 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 (NM State)
#2 Paul Denele vs Andrey Smirnov - DNF
#3 Liam Goldberg vs Mike Psarros – 6-3, 6-2 (NM State)
#4 Germain Degardin vs Vihn Pham - DNF
#5 Patrick Pfister vs Uldis Gaismins – 6-4, 6-1 (NM State)
#6 Naveen Manivannan vs Conner Edwards – 6-0, 6-2 (NM State)