Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
ALBUQUERQUE — Having the experience and knowing what to expect at the state tournament can help any team be comfortable to make a possible deep run.
This season, the New Mexico Military Institute Colt tennis squad got to see firsthand what it takes to compete against the best in the state.
On Friday afternoon, after receiving a first-round bye, the second-seeded Colt boys took on No. 7 St. Michael’s in the Class A-4A team quarterfinal round at the Sierra Vista West Tennis Complex.
The Colts had a few close matches, but the Horseman came out with the 5-0 win to advance to the semifinals.
“They fought today. A lot of guys went the distance into three sets,” said NMMI head coach John Barbour. “That experience really pays dividends and not having that experience I think hurts us.
“So, hopefully in the future we’ll be prepared for the next time we come.”
Jose Nadal, Mason Hicks, Isaiah Muniz, Nicholas VanLue and Noam Emerson-Fleming all had to dig deep in their matches.
Two sets had to go one point deep as they were decided 7-5.
One match went into three sets.
The Colts finished the season as the District 4-4A champions before getting the top seed at state. This will only make the team want to return to next year’s state tournament even more.
“Being here once makes them hungry, they want to come back, they know what to expect,” Barbour added. “I’ve already got one talking to me about what he needs to do to get ready for next year.
“This one’s in the can and we got to prepare for next year and hopefully come back and make a run. “
St. Michael’s 5, NMMI 0
Singles 1: St. Michael’s def. NMMI (7-5, 6-4)
Singles 2: St. Michael’s def. NMMI (7-5, 6-0)
Singles 3: St. Michael’s def. NMMI (6-2, 6-0)
Singles 5: St. Michael’s def. NMMI (1-6, 6-1, 6-2)
Singles 6: St. Michael’s def. NMMI (6-3, 6-3)