Men's Tennis | 3/2/2016 5:57:00 PM
STATESBORO, Ga.- Since the beginning of the season in January, senior
Rise Lanne has competed in nine singles matches for the Eagles, all of which at line one; and since January, all of those matches ended in wins for the Kangasala, Finland native.
On Wednesday, Lanne gained recognition for his impressive performance on the court this past weekend, earning the Sun Belt Conference's Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week award. Over the weekend, Lanne's winning ways helped guide the Eagles to a 3-0 home record by clinching two out of the three team matches in straight sets.
"I am really happy for Rise winning the award," head coach
Sander Koning said. "He has been the leader on this team by example, and the award is a recognition of his hard work and dedication to the team and Georgia Southen. It also sends a message to the rest of the team that we are on the right track towards our team goal."
On Friday, he clinched the team win with his 6-3, 6-4 victory over Evan Karatzas of Nicholls State and on Sunday, he led the Eagles to a 6-1 victory over SCAD, where he again clinched the match with his 6-4, 6-4 win at line one. In addition, he battled through to beat Pedro Wagner of Jacksonville State during the first match of the doubleheader on Sunday to maintain his perfect 9-0 singles record.
Lanne also saw success in doubles. He competed at both the No.1 and No.2 spots, picking up the sole Georgia Southern doubles win against Nicholls State with teammate
Dani Casablancas. His other two doubles matches with Casablancas were left unfinished.
The Eagles are back in action over the weekend at home as they face two tough opponents—Troy on Saturday and Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday. Saturday's match against the Trojans at 10 a.m. marks the Blue and White's first conference match of the year. Sunday's match begins at noon and both are held at the Wallis Tennis Complex.
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