SAINT LEO, Fla. – For the first time in program history, the No. 14 Saint Leo men's tennis team upended No. 7 Lynn University by a 5-4 margin on Sunday afternoon at the Saint Leo Tennis Complex.
Head coach Chris Frusci's squad improves to 3-1 on the season with a 1-0 mark in Sunshine State Conference play while the visiting Fighting Knights dip to 3-1 on the season, 1-1 in SSC play.
The Lions emerged from doubles action with a 2-1 advantage, as Bruno Sisti and Alex Theiler upset Lynn's ITA Division II top-ranked doubles tandem, Daniel Riggs and Paolo Volpicelli by a 9-8(10-3) margin. The combination of Netanel Alcabas and Egor Panyushkin defeated Mehdi Laalej and Pavel Mojha for the Lions other doubles victory while Guillaume Vanelven and Fons Verberne fell 9-8(10-3) to Fernando Rivas and Alessio Ianozzi.
Singles ran down to the wire, as each team earned three wins in the six single showdowns. The Fighting Knights took wins on the top courts while the Lions battled to late afternoon wins as Sisti and Vanelven fought to keep the match even at 4-4. Sisti outdueled Iannozzi in three sets while Vanelven swept Volpicelli by 6-1 and 7-5 scores.
The knotted match came down to court six as Jacobo Gonzalez-Tarrio swept Laalej by 6-2 scores to clinch the Lions first-ever win over Lynn.
The Green and Gold will travel to Lakeland, Fla. to continue SSC play against No. 34 Florida Southern College on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.
For more information on the Saint Leo men's tennis program, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
