Statesboro, Ga. – The Eagles dominated the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Saturday afternoon from the Wallis Tennis Complex. After earning the doubles point, the Eagles went on to claim victory in all 6 singles matches to preserve the shut-out victory on senior day.
"The team really stepped up and played well for each other," said Head Coach Alexander Koning. "The energy they played with shows that they really respect our seniors and all they have done for this team."
Albert Codina Sala and
Nico de Groof defeated Alvaro Barrera and Greg Almeida 8-4 in the No. 2 position. Moments later,
Kyle Hoffman and
Ristomatti Lanne combined at No. 1 to take down Walid Gtari and Alexander Chepik 8-7. The remaining match was tied 7-7, but was unfinished as Georgia Southern had already claimed the doubles point.
"I am really proud of our doubles teams," continued Koning. "We have been so close so many times and this time we stayed with it and took the doubles point. It was another tight point, but this time our players were more determined to be on the right side of the score."
Hoffman earned the 2nd point for the Eagles in the No. 3 singles position as she bounced Gilbert Rotich 6-2, 6-0.
Joan Carles Alcala was victorious over Barrera 6-1, 6-0 in the No. 4 slot.
de Groof got the match-winner in the No. 5 position as he defeated Pablo Lopez 6-2, 6-1 to make it 4-0 Eagles.
Lanne finished off Gtari in the top position 6-4, 6-0 to put the Eagles up by 5. The remaining 2 matches were retired by Bethune-Cookman, however, Codina Sala was up on Almeida 6-4, 3-0 and Landin was up over Garavito 6-2, 4-6.
Concluded Koning, "We have set ourselves up well for our match tomorrow, and we are looking to make it 2 wins in a row. We are looking forward to the challenge and to the big home crowd behind us for our GATA game."
The Eagles will remain at home for a Sunday match-up against USC-Upstate. The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m. from the Wallis Tennis Complex. In their final home match of the season, the Eagles will host its GATA game for student-athletes.
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