Men's Tennis | 4/22/2017 8:47:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. – Saturday evening in New Orleans, the men's tennis historic season came to an end. The Eagles became the first team since 1983 to post a perfect home season at 12-0, as well as recorded the first conference tournament victory in program history. The Eagles fell to No. 47 South Alabama 4-3, in a heart breaker.
 
"We lost a tough one," Head coach Sander Koning said. "South Alabama is a good team and I wish them the best of luck in the final. We were right there with them. We got unlucky on some first sets and we had to dig ourselves out of a hole in singles. We almost did it too. I am proud of the team and what they have done here. We kept fighting and that's what this team identifies itself with. I want to applaud the captains for doing a great job leading this team and mentoring the other upperclassmen."
 
The battle came less than 24 hours after the Eagles upset No. 3 seed, and defending Sun Belt Conference Champions, UT-Arlington 4-3. The Blue and White came out with intensity and picked up right where they left off Friday evening. Seniors Christian Kerrigan and Dani Casablancas lead the charge in doubles play defeating their oppoents 7-6 (9-7). Doubles team of Diego Finkelstein and Eddie Landin continued to put pressure on the Jaguars giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.
 
The Jaguars flipped a switch and pulled ahead 3-1, after straight set victories on courts 1, 2, and 6. Senior Dani Casablancas added to the scoring with a come from behind victory in three sets. He defeated his opponent 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-2. Freshman Diego Finkelstein joined the party with a three set victory over his opponent 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-4.
 
All eyes shifted to court three, where Freshman Stefano Di Aloy squared off against Junior Olivier Gingras. Gingras took the first set 7-6 (7-4), before Di Aloy came roaring back to level the match at one set a piece with a 6-3 victory. For the second night in a row the Eagles fate rested in a third set, which did not disappoint. Gingras pulled ahead early in the set, at 4-2. Di Aloy continued to battle bringing the third set back to five all. Di Aloy was defeated 7-5 in the third set ending the Eagles historic 2016-17 season.
 
SINGLES RESULTS
 
#104 Jacobs def. Alcala 7-6 (7-1), 6-1
Soria def. Landin 6-3, 6-4
Gingras def. Di Aloy 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 7-5
Casablancas def. Cloes 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-2
Finkelstein def. Gonzalez 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-4
Noyon def. Amari 6-2, 6-2
 
DOUBLES RESULTS
 
Kerrigan/Casablancas def. Cloes/Soria 7-6 (9-7)
Finkelstein/Landin def. Gonzalez/Jacobs 6-1
Gingras/Noyon def. Amari/Di Aloy 6-2

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