STATESBORO - No. 70-ranked Georgia Southern outlasted No. 74-ranked Troy for a key Sun Belt Conference men's tennis victory on Senior Day Saturday at the Wallis Tennis Center.

The Eagles (11-7, 5-0 SBC) remained unbeaten at home this season with the victory, stretching their current win streak to seven. Troy falls to 18-5 overall and 3-3 in the Sun Belt with the loss. Georgia Southern wraps up its 2024 home schedule on Sunday, hosting South Alabama after the conclusion of Georgia Southern women's tennis match against ULM, which begins at 10 a.m.

The doubles point came down to a tiebreaker at No. 1 doubles. Troy earned a win at No. 2 doubles, while Laurent Julia Calac and Aaron James Williams notched a 7-5 win at No. 3 doubles over Mario Marti Serrano and Luciano Alcocer. Dimitris Paliouras and Judson Blair collected the 7-6 (5) win at No. 1 doubles to clinch the point for the Eagles.

Georgia Southern started strongly in singles, winning the first set in four of the six matches. Pol del Castillo notched a quick 6-0, 6-1 win over Carles Anton at No. 2 singles, then Williams finished up a 6-3, 6-1 win over Noah Mertens at No. 3 singles to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead.

Troy battled back, however, claiming straight-set wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to make the score 3-2.

Paliouras finished off the win with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 victory over No. 93-ranked Serrano at No. 1 singles for the victory. It was the first win for the Eagles in a ranked matchup, and the second win for Georgia Southern over a ranked squad this season.

"This win represents progression for this program in general," Georgia Southern head men's tennis coach Andrew Goodwin said. "We've been talking a lot as a group about that progression and taking the next step, and this is just part of it. Whether it's hunting for that national ranking, taking down other teams that are right there with us or teams that are right on our heels.

"We didn't start out unbelievable in doubles, but I saw no flinching," Goodwin said. "We came out solid and composed in singles, and then Troy, like any really good team, they came pushing back. The thing I loved is that we did a much better job than in our last home match of matching that push. We just stuck right back to it. I'm really happy for the guys today."

Prior to the match, Georgia Southern honored its two seniors - Blair and Jacob Mitchell - in a ceremony.

RESULTS
Singles
1. Dimitris Paliouras (GS) def. #93 Mario Marti Serrano (TRY) 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
2. Pol del Castillo (GS) def. Carles Anton (TRY) 6-0, 6-1
3. Aaron James Williams (GS) def. Noah Martens (TRY) 6-3, 6-1
4. Judson Blair (GS) led Yeray Andres Pastor (TRY) 6-3, 2-6, 4-3, unfinished
5. Benjamin Ambrosio (TRY) def. Laurent Julia Calac (GS) 6-4, 7-6 (3)
6. Luciano Alcocer (TRY) def. Matthew Mitchell (GS) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles
1. Judson Blair/Dimitris Paliouras (GS) def. Noah Martens/Nicolas Simkin (TRY) 7-6 (5)
2. Yeray Andres Pastor/Carles Anton (TRY) def. Pol del Castillo/Matthew Mitchell (TRY) 6-4
3. Laurent Julia Calac/Aaron James Williams (GS) def. Mario Marti Serrano/Luciano Alcocer (TRY) 7-5