Lafayette, La. – The Sun Belt Conference match-up between Georgia Southern and the Ragin' Cajuns of University of Louisiana-Lafayette proved to be a nail biter. After losing the critical doubles point, the Eagles rallied to take 4 of 6 singles matches to earn the 4 hour marathon match victory 4-3.
Albert Codina Sala earned the match-winner in the No. 2 position.
"Today we played very well as a team," applauded Head Coach Alexander Koning. "Everybody was giving it their all - they were hungry for a Sun Belt win and it was great to see how the team came together and fed off each other's momentum and energy. We lost the doubles point, but our attitude was good and we stayed focused on the task at hand."
At No. 3 doubles,
Christian Kerrigan and
Jose Landin fell to Will Huyton and Rok Sitar 5-8.
Nico de Groof and Codina Sala were bounced by Coleman Wahlbeg and Jarred Wynan 4-8. The No. 1 doubles match was unfinished a 7-7 as the Ragin' Cajuns earned the doubles point.
After regrouping, the Eagles knotted the score at 1-1 when Landin defeated Sitar in the No. 6 position 6-4, 6-3. Lanne, feeling the momentum, got the job done at No 1. Over Edgar Lopez 6-4, 6-3 to make it 2-1 in favor of the Eagles.
Continued Koning, "Eddie and Rise were able to get off the court first and give us the 2-1 lead. Then it was Kyle who came back from a set and managed to hang into the match and played very aggressive to win the third set tie breaker."
Kyle Hoffman setback Huyton 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (5-0) to extend the lead to 3-1. The Ragin' Cajuns refused to go down without a fight and managed to even the score at 3-3 when de Groof fell Wynan 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 and Kerrigan was outplayed by Wahlberg 4-6, 7-5, 5-7.
In a familiar position, the match came down to Codina Sala in the No. 2 position. He defeated Damian Farinola in a 3-set thriller 5-7 (0-5), 7-5, 6-1.
"I am really happy for Albert," said Koning. "This was the third time it came down to his match, but this time he made the decision that he was going to take it. He was down a set and two breaks and that's when he showed how big his heart is. It was really great to see how is energy helped other guys as well. We will celebrate this win until dinner and then we have to set our sights for UT-Arlington."
The Eagles remain in Lafayette as they challenge the UT-Arlington Mavericks Saturday at 10 a.m.
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