Saint Leo University Athletics

SAINT LEO, Fla. - Saint Leo University men's and women's tennis both opened the spring season with Sunshine State Conference play hosting Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday. The two teams each picked up identical 6-1 victories to give first year Saint Leo head coach Ivan Fernandez his first wins as the Lions head coach. Both teams open the season 1-0 overall and in SSC action. 

WOMEN: Saint Leo 6, Palm Beach Atlantic 1
The doubles point was claimed by the Lions with quick 6-2 victories at number one and two doubles. The number one doubles pair of the nationally ranked #2 Candice Bernier and Catherine Rabatin got things going for the Lions with a 6-2 win and early advantage. Number two doubles of Deren Ozel and Camila Keller posted their own 6-2 win to clinch the doubles point and the early lead for the home team. 

Singles action was just as successful for the Lions as the doubles play was, with Saint Leo earning victories on five of the six singles courts. Ozel opened singles play with a pair of 6-1 wins and Keller gave the Lions a quick 3-0 advantage with a 6-1 and 6-0 set victories. Bernier clinched the match and the season opening victory for Saint Leo with a 6-2 and 6-4 win at sinlges number one. 

MEN: Saint Leo 6, Palm Beach Atlantic 1
Saint Leo went down the doubles play earning victories in 1-2-3 fashion. The 39th ranked doubles pair of Jose David Segovia and Kodai Kato opened the match with a 6-1 win at number one doubles. Dylan Andrianaly and Filippo Caporali posted a 6-2 win at number two doubles to clinch the point for the Green & Gold. Saint Leo earned a sweep of the double play with a 6-3 win at number three doubles by Eduardo Cohen and Shay Sarfati. 

The Lions continued to dominate earning five consecutive singles wins to go up 6-0. Singles wins by Segovia and Cohen gave the Lions a 3-0 advantage. Freshman Mahit Mekala earned his first collegiate singles victory winning 6-2 in both sets to clinch the 1-0 start for the home team.  

Head Coach Ivan Fernandez on Saturday's victories: 
"I'm so proud of the energy and fight both teams brought today. They were ready for a battle, and we were able to get it done with 6–1 wins on both sides. It's special to earn my first wins as head coach at Saint Leo at home and against conference rivals. I want to thank our teams and my two outstanding assistants for helping make this possible. I know there will be many more to come. Go Lions!"

UP NEXT
The men's team is set to take on Bates College in a neutral site match at the USTA National Campus in Orlando at noon on February 14. 
SSC play continues for the women's team with a midweek trip up I-95 to take on former coach Chad Berryhill and the Embry-Riddle Eagles for a 3:30 p.m. match on February 11.