FORT MYERS, Fla. – Playing under the lights, the FGCU men's tennis team defeated Northern Kentucky with a 6-1 decision on Saturday, Mar. 28 at the FGCU Tennis Complex.
 
With the win the Eagles (13-5, 4-0 Atlantic Sun) earned their DI program-best 13th win and their seventh victory in a row, while Northern Kentucky drops to 5-8 (0-3 Atlantic Sun).
 
"The guys did a good job today," said head coach CJ Weber. "We came out the way we needed to in doubles, and then followed it up in several of our singles matches."
 
FGCU got off to a quick start in the doubles contest as senior co-captain Jordi Vives (Barcelona, Spain/IES Ferran Tallada/USC) and junior Eduardo Alfonzo (Valencia, Venezuela/Barry University) grabbed a quick 8-3 decision over Mate Virag and Jack Carney in the No. 1 slot. Clinching the doubles point for the Eagles was senior co-captain Tianyu Bao (Tianjin, China/Bayshore HS (Bradenton, Fla.)) and freshman Austin Bates (Marietta, Ga./Pope HS), posting an 8-3 score over Christopher Angulo and Adrian Isache.
 
Coming into the singles contest, FGCU wasted no time, claiming four quick points from No. 2, 4, 5 and 6 slots to clinch the match for the Eagles.
 
"We got up to a quick 5-0 lead, but Bao and Jordi [Vives] found themselves in very difficult matches," added Weber. "10 point breakers are never easy to win and Jordi [Vives] was able to get his, he was mentally and physically challenged to win that match the way he did. Bao wasn't able to win his, but I'm still so proud of him. He represents himself so well out there, and he's a crowd favorite because of it. Now it's time to prepare for UNF. "
 
Redshirt junior co-captain Michael Beiler (Palm Harbor, Fla./Dunedin HS) fired the first shot for the Eagles, beating Adrian Isache with a 6-2, 6-1 score in the No. 5 slot. Shortly after Beiler's win, junior Ricky Ventura (Barcelona, Spain/University of Barcelona) added another point for the Green and Blue, winning against Jody Maginley 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 2 slot.
 
Clinching the match for FGCU was Eduardo Alfonzo with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Jack Carney in the No. 4 slot. Bates then cruised by Balint Zsidai 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 6 slot. In all of these matches, FGCU was on the offensive early and often to power through its opposition in efficient style.
 
"It was a great atmosphere today with the fans as well as the women's match going on at the same time," Bates said of his match. "I thought everyone played very focused tennis with good energy too. We were able to keep our heads down the entire match and collect another big conference win!"
 
Vives added the Eagles' sixth point of the day after a tough 7-5, 4-6, (10-3) win over Mate Virag in the No. 1 slot. Virag came into the match with an all-or-nothing mindset as he battled Vives closely in the first set, but the senior came through by staying mentally tough. In the second set, Virag showed no signs of slowing down as he stayed aggressive to claim a 6-4 second set. In the third set tiebreaker, Vives flexed his might beating Virag's with a 10-3 score.
 
The trio of team captains in Jordi Vives, Tianyu Bao and Michael Beiler will play at the Nest one last time as FGCU hosts No. 69 UNF on Senior Day, this Saturday, April 4 at 5 p.m.
 
FINAL RESULTS
 
FGCU: 6 NKU: 1
 
SINGLES
1. Jordi Vives (FGCU) def. Mate Virag (NKU) 7-5, 4-6, 10-3
2. Ricky Ventura (FGCU) def. Jody Maginley (NKU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Christopher Angulo (NKU) def. Tianyu Bao (FGCU) 6-4, 4-6, 10-4
4. Eduardo Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Jack Carney (NKU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Michael Beiler (FGCU) def. Adrian Isache (NKU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Austin Bates (FGCU) def. Balint Zsidai (NKU) 6-2, 6-2
 
DOUBLES
1. Jordi Vives/Eduardo Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Mate Virag/ Jack Carney (NKU) 8-3
2. Tianyu Bao/Austin Bates (FGCU) def. Christopher Angulo / Adrian Isache (NKU) 8-3
3. Chris Perrigan/Sam Chaffin (FGCU) vs. Jody Maginley/Nick Lang (NKU) 7-4, DNF
 
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
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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.