SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo men’s tennis team (6-3, 1-0 SSC) opened their Sunshine Shine State Conference schedule with an impressive fashion by upending the 41st-ranked Florida Tech Panthers (1-10, 0-5 SSC), 7-2, Sunday afternoon from the Saint Leo Tennis Center.

The Green & Gold have now converted five straight decisions, after starting the year 1-3.

The Lions took two-of-three doubles matches, before winning five-of-six on the singles side.

The No. 23-ranked doubles pair of Matt Nicholson-Lewis and Victor Lozier gave SLU its first point as they took down the duo of William Fountain and Kermit Strachan, 8-3. 

The lead grew to 2-0 a short while later when the No.3 tandem of Pablo Chavez and Tom Gleeson stormed past Eddie Shelton and Jorge Abarca Montero, 8-2.

The Panthers did claim a point at No.2 doubles, however, as the team of Michael Schmidt and Cory Hodes took down Aloua Adjenak in a tight battle, 8-5.

Still, the loss at No.2 doubles did not deter the Lions’ efforts. Lozier Swept Hodes in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, while Nicholson-Lewis out-dueled Fountain, 6-3, 6-2.

With a 4-1 match lead, Saint Leo solidified the match at the No. 5 spot as Gleeson posted an impressive 6-1, 6-1 win over Hollis.

After Pate did in the Lions’ Chavez in a thrilling three-set contest, Morales and Lozier finished the Panthers off in style. Morales dumped his opponent, Barry Dylewski, 6-0, 6-4, and Adjenaks squeaked past Abarca Montero in another three-set tiebreak spectacle, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6.

James Bryce was impressed with his group of men today, “I thought we played really well today. We showed intensity as a team and rose to the occasion when called upon. I am very happy for them.”

Saint Leo will continue its home stand on Wednesday, March 9 when they take on the Michigan Tech in a non-region match-up. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. from the Saint Leo Tennis Center.