Results

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of South Alabama men's tennis team took the doubles point on their way to defeat Florida Gulf Coast 4-3 on Sunday at the Scott Speicher Tennis Center in Tallahassee.

With the victory, the Jaguars improve to 2-1 on the year, while the Eagles fell to 1-1.

"Today was a loud match," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "It felt like a Davis Cup match. Guys were cheering non-stop and never stopped fighting."

The doubles portion began with Gerhard Gruindelingh and Oliver Gringas winning 6-2 over Andres and Eduardo Alfonzo at No. 1.

The Eagles fought back with a 6-3 victory at No. 2 from Lucas Vaz and Ricky Ventura over Tim Srkala and Juan Troglia, but USA clinched the doubles point at No. 3 when Tuki Jacobs and Pierre Noyon defeated Oliver Landert and Ezequiel Cerrini 6-4.

"We played 100 percent better doubles than yesterday," Brochu said. "All three doubles teams had a great start and came up with the break on the first game. After that, we just had to keep the momentum going. We closed the doubles point in a solid way."

In singles, FGCU took the first point at No. 1 with a 6-4, 6-2 win from Ventura over Srkala, but the Jaguars came back with a 6-2, 6-1 victory from Troglia over Manfred Fellin. The Eagles tied it 2-2 when Landert won 6-3, 6-4 against Gruindelingh at No. 5.

South Alabama rattled off two straight wins to clinch the match. At No. 2, Jacobs defeated Andres Alfonzo 6-0, 6-4, and Gringas beat Cerrini 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 at No. 6.

With the victory sealed, Eduardo Alfonzo defeated Noyon in a close 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 contest.

"We knew FGCU would try to come back in singles and be very loud," said Brochu. "All six singles were extremely close. Tuki, Juan, and Oliver gave the team lots of confidence by winning quick first sets. Just like last year in Florida, Oliver came up big on our first trip of the year. Using his experience from last year, he closed the match like a senior and clinched the match for the Jags. Today was a great win."

The Jaguars return to action Friday, Jan. 29 at 10:30 a.m. to take on Jackson State at home.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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