FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU men's tennis team (6-3) claimed the doubles point, but was unable to keep the momentum in singles play as it suffered its third loss of the year against UCF (8-6), 4-3, at the FGCU Tennis Complex on Saturday Feb. 28.

"The double matches were a very bright part to focus on," said head coach CJ Weber. "It was a complete showing from us on all three courts, and I am very happy to have things going in the right direction in doubles action."

Once again FGCU started out the contest with a 1-0 advantage after three victories in the doubles contest. The first doubles win came from the duo senior co-captain Jordi Vives (Barcelona, Spain/IES Ferran Tallada/USC) and Andres Alfonzo (Hollywood, Fla./Texas Christian University) in the No. 1 slot with a 6-1 score over Barrus and Espindola. 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 6-2 win against Aulina and Acree in the No. 2 slot. Ricky Ventura (Barcelona, Spain/University of Barcelona) and Lucas Vaz (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Fleming/Tulsa) gave the Green and Blue the doubles sweep with a 6-1 victory against Porter and Flores in the No. 3 slot.

"Today was a tough loss, but these types of matches are exactly what we are looking for to get better," Weber said. "We need to experience these moments of adversity, and we need to experience those moments of extreme pressure. Unfortunately it didn't go out way this time, but we will be a better team because of today's match."

After going down 2-1 in singles matches, Andres Alfonzo leveled it at two after a heated contest that saw him win 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. With the Eagles down 3-2, Vives rallied in his match to tie the match yet again with the Knights. After falling in the first set 4-6, the Barcelona, Spain native bounced back to win the next two sets and match, 6-3, 6-4.  In a winner-takes-all No. 6 slot match, Bates went down early in the third set and ultimately lost to Andy Lau 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

NEXT UP
FGCU will take its spring break trip to the Golden State for the first time in program history to take on Cal Poly on Mar. 3 at 1 p.m., UC Santa Barbara on Mar. 6 at 1:30 p.m. and UC Irvine on Mar. 6 at 5 p.m., all Pacific Time.

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.

FINAL RESULTS
 
UCF: 4 FGCU: 3
 
SINGLES
1. #107 Jordi Vives (FGCU) def. Francesc Aulina (UCF) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2.. Andres Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
3. Chris Barrus (UCF) def. Ricky Ventura (FGCU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-2
4. Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Eduardo Alfonzo (FGCU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Mariano Porter (UCF) def. Tianyu Bao (FGCU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
6. Reece Acree (UCF) def. Austin Bates (FGCU) 6-4, 7-5
 
DOUBLES
1. Vives/Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Barrus/Espindula (UCF) 6-1
2. Bao/Bates (FGCU) def. Aulina/Acree (UCF) 6-2
3. Ventura/Lucas Vaz (FGCU) def. Flores/Porter (UCF) 6-1