Statesboro, Ga. –  The Eagles (5-7) fell to the visiting UCF Knights 2-5 Sunday afternoon at the Wallis Tennis Center.  After losing the doubles point, the top portion of the Eagles' line-up was able to claim singles points as Ristomatti Lanne and Albert Codina Sala each won their matches at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively.

"We were very close in doubles," said Head Coach Alexander Koning.  "We had great energy on all 3 courts, but played a few sloppy points at the end.  The letdown in doubles carried over in singles with many of the guys.  It is something we need to get better at, because today UCF made us pay for it.  It's a great lesson for this team and we will have another opportunity to implement what we learned today in our next match Tuesday against rival Appalachian State."

It was Georgia Southern who struck first in doubles at the No. 2 position.  Codina Sala and Lanne combined to bounce Francesc Aulina and Reece Acree 6-1.  At No. 1 Kyle Hoffman and Jose Landin lost to Chris Barrus and Inaki Espindola 3-6, while Joan Carles Alcala and Chrstian Kerrigan were defeated 4-6 by Mariano Porter and Jesse Flores.

Heading in to singles down a point, the Eagles would drop the next 4 matches in succession before coming alive to earn 2 points.  The points earned, however, came too late as UCF had already clinched the match.

Lanne got the job done at No. 1 singles as he setback Aulina 6-4, 6-4.  Teammate Codina Sala, playing at No. 2, defeated Jose Sangroniz 6-2, 7-5.

Espindola defeated Hoffman at No. 3 6-3, 6-1.  Playing in the No. 4 position, Alcala dropped a 2-6, 1-6 decision to Barrus.

At No. 5, Landin fell to Mariano Porter 4-6, 1-6 and Nico de Groof was bounced at No. 6 by Flores 6-3, 6-4.

The Eagles will return to action Tuesday March 17th in Boone, North Carolina against rival Appalachian State.  The Sun Belt Conference tilt will begin at 2 p.m.

UCF 5, Georgia Southern 2

Singles competition
1. Ristomatti Lanne (GSU) def. Francesc Aulina (UCF) 6-4, 6-4
2. Albert Codina Sala (GSU) def. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) 6-2, 7-5
3. Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Kyle Hoffman (GSU) 6-3, 6-1
4. Chris Barrus (UCF) def. Joan Carles Alcala (GSU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Mariano Porter (UCF) def. Jose Landin (GSU) 6-4, 6-1
6. Jesse Flores (UCF) def. Nico de Groof (GSU) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Chris Barrus/Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Kyle Hoffman/Jose Landin (GSU) 6-3
2. Albert Codina Sala/Ristomatti Lanne (GSU) def. Francesc Aulina/Reece Acree (UCF) 6-1
3. Mariano Porter/Jesse Flores (UCF) def. Joan Carles Alcala/Christian Kerrigan (GSU) 6-4

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,3,6,5,1,2)

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by visiting GSEagles.com.