2005 • ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO --
PHOTO CAPTION: NMMI Colts, 2005 3 A State Champions. (Top row, left to right), Jose de la Parra, G. Rosas, Sammy Tesimu, Jorge Maynez and Sergio Lopez. (Bottom row, left to right), Kyle Lynch, Brendon Brown, Mark Helfman, Michelle Padre and Eric McMahon.
The Colts faced a tough Robertson squad in the finals. Though it wasn't the way the team drew it out, NMMI went on to defeat Robertson 5-4.
On Saturday, NMMI's No. 1 singles player, and the team of Lopez and Kyle Lynch both lost early. "I didn't know if we could win after they went down," said NMMI Broncos coach Gene Hardman. "It was amazing."
With its best player out, the Colts youth stepped up big. In doubles competition, the team of freshman Joege Maynez and junior Mark Helfman's victory pushed NMMI closer to another state championship.
Lopez ended an impressive senior season with a record of 16-1 in singles and 11-1 in doubles competition. Lopez's play will continue on into the college ranks. He has a tennis scholarship to play at division three powerhouse, Carthage College in Kenosha, Wiisconsin in the fall.