LAS CRUCES, N.M. ? The University of Idaho men's tennis struggled in New Mexico narrowly defeating UT Pan American and falling to New Mexico State and Montana State.

Idaho squeaked by UTPA 4-3 on Sunday but fell to Montana State by the same score on Saturday. On Friday, the Vandals were swept by New Mexico State in the WAC season opener.

“Overall it is good to be 7-3 but this weekend was very difficult for the team,” University of Idaho Director of Tennis Jeff Beaman said. “The conditions were harsh but we need to get a lot tougher.”

In the win over UTPA, Artem Kuznetsov picked up an impressive win over Ashwin Vijayaragavan in No. 1 singles. Vijayaragavan had been ranked as high as No. 60 in the nation in singles play this year.

Stanislav Glukhov, Alex Joitoiu and Alan Shin also notched singles victory to guide the Vandals to their seventh win on the season.

Idaho came out strong after their loss to New Mexico State but was unable to overcome a talented Montana State team that had been ranked No. 71 earlier in the season.

Kuznetsov, Glukhov and Shin won singles matches over Montana State but the Vandals lost two close matches in doubles that could have swung the game in Idaho's favor. Glukhov/Shin won doubles in the No. 3 spot but Chalkley/Huynh lost 8-6 in No. 2 doubles and Kuznetsov/Joitoiu fell 9-8 (3) to Jakub Dybala /Pawel Turzanski of Montana.

“The Montana State game was really close and it is a difficult loss,” Beaman said. “They are a good team but this is a game we need to be able win.”

In the first WAC game of the season Idaho could not find a way to break down New Mexico State. Rob Chalkley took Arthur Surreaux to a third set but loss 6-1, 4-6, 10-5.

Next weekend is big for Idaho as the Vandals have games against No. 68 Utah and No. 29 Boise State in Boise, Idaho.

“We know next weekend is going to be hard with two ranked teams,” Beaman said. “BSU is a very important game for us and one we need to be fully prepared for.”