Statesboro, Ga. –  Georgia Southern Men's Tennis defeated the University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartans 5-2 Sunday afternoon from the Wallis Tennis Complex.  The Eagles claimed the doubles point and got help from Ristomatti Lanne, Albert Codina Sala, Christian Kerrigan and Jose Landin in singles to edge the visiting Spartans in their final home match of the season.

"The team played very competitive today," applauded Head Coach Alexander Koning.  "We were very focused on every court and we gave ourselves a chance to win.  Overall, I am very proud of how the team has responded after having a couple of tough losses.  They keep believing and playing for each other and that's great to see.  We finished strong at home with two wins and we will take this momentum with us to our conference matches next week."

Codina Sala and Nico de Groof got the momentum started in the Eagles favor when they defeated Rajanvir Dharni and Viktor Selander in the No. 2 position 8-5.  The Spartans then took the match in the No. 1 doubles position as Jamie Yates and Ramon Simonetti setback Kyle Hoffman and Lanne 8-7.

The doubles point came down to the No. 3 tandem of Landin and Kerrigan who dispatched Matt Bennion and Ignacio Garrido 8-5 to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.

"Today was a big day for Chris [Kerrigan] and Eddie [Landin]," continued Koning.  "They played well today in doubles.  They were down a break twice in that match, but they kept fighting and it lead to them clinching the doubles point.  Then, in singles play they kept the momentum going by being the first ones off the court victories.  That helps the others out a lot."

Landin got the job done at No. 6 singles when he bounced Felix Ewers 6-3, 6-4.  Moments later, Kerrigan defeated Bennion in the No. 5 slot 7-6, 6-4 to make it 3-0 in favor of the Eagles.

Lanne would get the match-winner in the No. 1 position when he claimed victory over Simonetti 6-1, 2-6, 6-0.

With the match won by the Eagles, the remaining matches were played to completion which lead to the final tally of 5-2 Eagles.

Codina Sala defeated Selander in the No. 2 position 7-5, 7-5 while Hoffman fell to Yates at No. 3 6-7, 3-6 and de Groof was setback by Garrido 6-2, 5-7, 3-6 in the No. 4 slot.

Concluded Koning, "I also want to thank everybody who came out to the match and supported us.  It was a great atmosphere throughout."

The Eagles (7-11) return to action Friday April 3rd when they travel to Lafayette for a showdown witht eh Ragin' Cajuns of Lousiana Lafayette at 11 a.m.

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