ACU Earns First-Round Bye, Beats NMSU

ABILENE – Abilene Christian put the finishing touch on the regular season with a 6-1 win over New Mexico State on Sunday.
 
The win locked up sole possession of second place in the WAC and gives the Wildcats a first-round bye in the WAC Tournament in Arlington, April 27-29.
 
The defending WAC champions will play their first match at noon on Friday, April 28, at the Arlington Tennis Center.
 
"It was an important win just to finish with everyone feeling like they are competing and we had to take it like preparation for the conference tournament," said ACU Head Coach Juan Nunez. "It was good to see the guys compete hard and not be complacent. I feel good about where we're headed; getting ready for the conference tournament and hopefully a repeat."
 
The Wildcats took the doubles point with three wins. Dario Kmet and Cesar Barranquero won at first doubles to move to 8-6 on the season. Daniel Morozov and Mihaly Deli won at No. 2 and Savan Chhabra and Ethan Scribner picked up their team-leading 14th doubles victory.
 
Deli (10-6 in singles) gave the Cats a 2-0 with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 6 and Chhabra (9-9) dominated in his last home match for a 3-0 lead, winning at No. 4, 6-2, 6-2.
 
Dario Kmet (10-6) got the clincher at No. 1, 7-5, 6-2, to improve to 5-0 in the WAC.
 
Cesar Barranquero (11-7) and Benjamin McDonald (9-11) capped off the victory parade for ACU.
 
After the match, Chhabra was presented with a framed photo with signed sentiments from the team, which also managed to give him an on-court Gatorade cooler shower.
 
Abilene Christian 6, NM State 1
Singles competition
1. Dario Kmet (ACU) def. Corey Clarke (NMSU) 7-5, 6-2
2. Jordy Visser (NMSU) def. Daniel Morozov (ACU) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
3. Cesar Barranquero (ACU) def. Roko Stipetic (NMSU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
4. Savan Chhabra (ACU) def. Itay Feigin (NMSU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Benjamin McDonald (ACU) def. Luca Fe D'Ostiani (NMSU) 6-1, 0-6, 7-6 (7-4)
6. Mihaly Deli (ACU) def. Patrick Lohmann (NMSU) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Dario Kmet/Cesar Barranquero (ACU) def. Yehor Opanasenko/Jordy Visser (NMSU) 6-2
2. Daniel Morozov/Mihaly Deli (ACU) def. Corey Clarke/Luca Fe D'Ostiani (NMSU) 6-2
3. Savan Chhabra/Ethan Scribner (ACU) def. Roko Stipetic/Patrick Lohmann (NMSU) 7-6