LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The sixth-seeded University of Texas-Pan American Broncs men's tennis team (4-16) faces off against the second-seeded University of Idaho Vandals (9-13) in the semifinals of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the New Mexico State Tennis Center.
 
Last Time Out
The Broncs men's tennis team picked up the first-ever Western Athletic Conference Tournament victory in UTPA history after upsetting the third-seeded Seattle University Redhawks 4-2 on Friday at the New Mexico State Tennis Center.
 
The opening round victory is the first conference victory for the Broncs since 2010 when they defeated Lamar University in the Southland Conference Tournament.
 
The Broncs started off doubles competition with a victory at the No. 2 position as the team of Alejandro Sanoja and Juan Cruz Soria beat Ian Clare and Zach Kosanke 8-3. The Redhawks answered back with victories at No. 1 and 3 positions to clinch the doubles point.
 
In singles, Sanoja got the Broncs back in it with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Jason Bediones at the No. 5 position. After the Redhawks picked up a point at No. 3 singles, Mauricio Fosado defeated Connor Leahy 6-2, 6-1 at No. 6 singles.
 
Ricardo Hopker then beat Riley Newman 6-4, 6-1 at No. 4 singles and Chetan Panditi followed with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Kosanke at the No. 2 spot to clinch the match for the Broncs.
 
Scouting the Vandals
The Vandals finished the regular season at 9-13 with wins over conference opponents Kansas City and Seattle U.
 
The Vandals are 6-9 on the road this season and 2-4 in neutral site matches. They closed out the season on a pair of wins over Montana and LCSC.
 
The Series
The Broncs are 0-1 against the Vandals all-time in a series that dates back to 2009. The only time these two teams faced each other was in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Feb. 22, 2009 when the Broncs fell 3-4.  
 
Globetrotters
The Broncs have eight student-athletes representing six countries including, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, India, Mexico and the United States. Sanoja is from the Rio Grande Valley as he calls Mission home.
 
Next Up
The winner of this semifinals match will earn a spot in the championship match on Sunday at 9 a.m.

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