RICHARDSON, Texas — The Delta State University men's tennis team put together a gritty effort on Friday afternoon at the UTD Tennis Complex, but the Statesmen came up just short in a 4–3 battle against Western New Mexico University. The match up featured strong singles play from DSU and several tightly contested courts throughout the day.

Western New Mexico claimed the early advantage by securing the doubles point. At No. 1 doubles, Juan Diego Alzate and Alejandro Bravo fell 6–1, while the No. 2 pairing of Valentin Greco and Simon Ojeda dropped a 6–3 decision. The No. 3 doubles match went unfinished as the Mustangs clinched the point early.

Despite the early deficit, the Statesmen responded with resilience in singles play, earning three straight-set victories.

At No. 2 singles, Juan Diego Alzate delivered DSU's first point of the afternoon with a composed 6–4 win over Jack Semper.

Valentin Greco followed with a dominant performance at No. 3, rolling to a 6–3, 6–0 victory to even the match.

Alejandro Bravo added another point for the Statesmen at No. 5 singles, controlling his match from start to finish in a 6–2, 6–2 win.

Western New Mexico, however, secured the team victory with wins on courts 1, 4, and 6. Simon Ojeda battled in a tight No. 1 singles match but fell 7–5, 6–3, while Marti Cerda Castillo and Valentino Millimaci dropped straight-set decisions at Nos. 4 and 6.

The 4–3 final marked DSU's first setback after opening the season 2–0.

Delta State continues its early-season road stretch Sunday as the Statesmen look to bounce back and build on Friday's strong singles play with at match against the University of Texas Permian Basin at 10:00 a.m. (CT) from the UTD Tennis Complex.