DAYTONA BEACH, Fla – Determined to get back to its winning ways, the FGCU men's tennis team (6-2) played disciplined tennis throughout its contest to defeat Bethune-Cookman University (1-1) 6-1 Saturday morning at the City Island Tennis Courts in Daytona Beach.
 
"We responded well to yesterday's loss," said head coach CJ Weber. "Bethune-Cookman gets better every year we play them, and they competed very well. If we were a little off the match could have gotten really interesting. This group competes very well, has a lot of heart and is ready to bring it every match."
 
Once again FGCU started out the contest with a 1-0 advantage after two victories in the doubles contest. The first doubles win came from the junior duo of Lucas Vaz (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Fleming/Tulsa) and Ricky Ventura (Barcelona, Spain/University of Barcelona) in the No. 3 slot with a 6-3 score over Almeida and Garavito. Senior co-captain Tianyu Bao (Tianjin, China/Bayshore HS (Bradenton, Fla.)) and freshman Austin Bates (Marietta, Ga./Pope HS) sealed the doubles point for the Eagles with a 6-4 win against Chepik and Barrera in the No. 2 slot.
 
The Green and Blue got off to a quick start in the singles contest as sophomore Andres Alfonzo (Hollywood, Fla./Texas Christian University) claimed the first singles win of the day for the Eagles with a 6-2, 6-1 score over Chepik in the No. 1 slot. Alfonzo played with great energy and easily dispatched Chepik, who previously bested fellow Atlantic Sun Conference foe, Stetson's No. 1 player Nathan Debut 6-4, 7-5,
 
Ventura manned the No. 3 singles slot against the Wildcats, and extended the Eagles' lead to 3-0 after a 6-4, 6-1 score against Rotich. Ventura was engaged in a close first set that was filled with dramatics, but was able to pull off a first set win before dominating the second set. Ventura finished his perfect weekend with a pair of singles and doubles wins against Troy and Bethune-Cookman.
 
Bao clinched the victory for FGCU after a 6-4, 6-4 win over Barrera in the No. 4 slot. The momentum of the match shifted multiple times between the two players, but Bao was the one who stayed disciplined during the crucial moments to earn his fifth win of the spring.
 
Bates put FGCU up 5-0 with a 6-3, 7-5 decision in the No. 6 slot against Garavito. Bates powered through the first set before facing resistance in the second. However, Bates made sure to stay true to his aggressive style and came out on top. Bates has played three dual-match singles contests for the Eagles, and has won all three in straight sets.
 
Michael Beiler (Palm Harbor, Fla./Dunedin HS) capped off the day for the Eagles with a 7-5, 2-6, 10-8 score over Deligny in the No. 5 slot. Beiler won the first set, but Deligny leveled that match in the second set. The third set was a back-and-fourth affair that saw Beiler gut out the match win.
 
The Eagles will take a week off from competition before welcoming No. 67 UCF to The Nest Feb. 28 at noon.
 
FINAL RESULTS
 
FGCU: 6 Bethune-Cookman: 1
 
SINGLES
 

1. A. Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Cheprok (Bethune-Cookman) 6-2, 6-1
2. Gtari (Bethune-Cookman) def. E. Alfonzo (FGCU) 4-6, 6-4 (10-6)
3. Ventura (FGCU) def. Rotich (Bethune-Cookman) 6-4, 6-1
4. Bao (FGCU) def. Barrera (Bethune-Cookman) 6-4, 6-4
5. Beiler (FGCU) def. Deligny (Bethune-Cookman) 7-5, 2-6 (10-8)
6. Bates (FGCU) def. Garavito (Bethune-Cookman) 6-3, 7-5

 
DOUBLES
 

1. Vives/A. Alfonzo (FGCU) vs. Gtari/Deligny  (Bethune-Cookman) 5-5 (DNF)
2. Bao/Bates (FGCU) def. Chepik/Barrera (Bethune-Cookman) 6-4
3. Ventura/Vaz def. Almeida/Garavito (Bethune-Cookman) 6-3

 
CJ WEBER
FGCU is led by CJ Weber, who has coached 10 A-Sun All-Conference selections since joining the Green and Blue in 2011. In his third season, Weber guided Jordi Vives to a No. 35 national ranking, a nation-leading 14-match unbeaten streak and the round of 32 in the 2014 NCAA Tournament – the program's first appearance. His teams have continually posted winning records and finished the 2014 season a Division-I best third in the conference with 12 wins.
 
#WINGSUP
Fans are encouraged to download the brand-new Wings Up mobile app in conjunction with SuperFanU. The fully-customized loyalty-rewards platform allows fans to check in at each of FGCU's sporting events to earn points throughout the school year toward exclusive prizes that can't be offered anywhere else.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For complete coverage of FGCU men's tennis follow us on Twitter @FGCU_MTEN and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available at the end of each day.