May 14, 1998

LAS VEGAS - Sixth-seeded New Mexico won four of five completed singles matches to storm back and stun third-seeded San Diego State 4-2 in the first round of the NCAA men's tennis regional on the campus of UNLV Thursday.

The Lobos (11-12), ranked 57th, began the day by losing the doubles point but dominated singles play. UNM got wins from Jeff Williams, Assaf Drori and Rodolfo Cisneros before Pepe Caballero clinched the victory with a 7-5, 6-4 win over 93rd-ranked Eric Faulk at the second position.

"Give New Mexico all the credit," SDSU Head Coach John Nelson said. "They came out and gave it their all and just beat us."

After taking two of three doubles matches for one point, 36th-ranked San Diego State (15-8) only managed one more win with Nguey Lay victorious at the fifth spot. The final match was halted with SDSU's Bobby Hrdina leading in the third set.

"We were close all year and lost a lot of close matches 4-3, including to San Diego State (April 3 in Albuquerque)," UNM Head Coach Alan Dils said. "We stuck together when times were tough and this is part of the payoff. It was a real team effort. I can't stress how much this was a team victory."

The Lobos advance to Friday's semifinal vs. Boise State beginning at 12 p.m. PDT. Second-seeded and 16th-ranked BSU earned a bye.

"We lost to them earlier in the season (4-3 in Boise) so we're familiar with them," Dils said of the Broncos. "I think it will be tough either way. I expect us to give everything we have."

1998 NCAA REGION VII MEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP--QUARTERFINALSNEW MEXICO 4, SAN DIEGO STATE 2At Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas
SINGLES-1.  Jeff Williams (UNM) def. Alex Waske (SDSU)      6-4, 6-12.  Pepe Caballero (UNM) def. Eric Faulk (SDSU)     7-5, 6-4*3.  Bobby Hrdina (SDSU) vs. Nicolas Dubey (UNM)     Halted4.  Assaf Drori (UNM) def. Kolo Rosenthal (SDSU)        6-3, 7-65.  Nguey Lay (SDSU) def. Takeshi Itoh (UNM)        6-4, 6-46.  Rodolfo Cisneros (UNM) def. Steve Adamson (SDSU)    1-6, 6-2, 6-2
DOUBLES--1.  Caballero/Williams (UNM) def. Frank Morgan/Waske (SDSU) 8-32.  Adamson/Lay (SDSU) def. Drori/Dubey (UNM)       8-53.  Hrdina/Rosenthal (SDSU) def. Kyle Russell/Itoh (UNM)    8-2*clinching match