FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU men's tennis team secured its tenth consecutive home win Saturday with a 5-2 victory over Florida A&M. FGCU improved to 8-3 on the year, including 5-0 at home, while Florida A&M fell to 3-8. In addition to the victory, the Eagles dedicated court one at the FGCU Tennis Complex in honor of Tom Manring, who has supported the men's tennis program through the Tom Manring Foundation since his passing in 2012.

"It's great to come out with a win today to honor the Tom Manring Foundation," said head coach CJ Weber. "They are a huge support to us and I was very happy we could put on a show in front of so many people today who were close to the late Tom Manring."

The Eagles secured the doubles point with wins at the top two doubles positions. At No. 1 doubles, Andres Alfonzo (Hollywood, Fla./Texas Christian University) and Ezequiel Cerrini (Sunny Isles Beach, Fla./Homeschool) defeated Walner Espinoza and Carlos Waitman 6-2, as FGCU searched for the early lead. The Green and Blue would not have to wait long, as Oliver Landert (Naples, Fla./Florida Virtual School/Florida) and Javier Fernandez (Ibiza, Spain/IES CTEIB) clinched the point with a 6-4 win over Courage Okungbowa and Illya Skoromnyy at No. 2 doubles.

Following his doubles win and fresh off of his Atlantic Sun Player of the Week award, Landert increased the FGCU lead to 2-0 with a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles over Jalen Evans. Andres Alfonzo then put the Eagles on the verge of clinching the match, defeating Okungbowa 6-1, 6-4 from the No. 1 position.

"Today was a special day for the program, playing in front of our donors is a great opportunity to make them feel proud," Andres Alfonzo said. "Today, my teammates and I represented FGCU well, like we always do. I've been working a lot on my mental strengths and weaknesses and it's definitely having positive results."

The freshman Cerrini secured the victory shortly after, defeating Waitman 6-4, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. The Rattlers however would not be shutout, picking up wins at No. 4 singles with Espinoza defeating Fernandez 7-5, 6-3 and at No. 2 singles as Eduardo Alfonzo (Hollywood, Fla./Barry University) fell 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 to Karlyn Small.

"I'm really proud of Ezequiel today and the steps he's made in his game, especially in doubles," Weber added. "He has so much potential and he's beginning to learn how to use it."

Chris Perrigan (Tallahassee, Fla./Maclay HS) returned to singles action, picking up FGCU's final point with a 4-6, 6-3, 11-9 win at No. 6 singles.

"Today's match was a lot of fun for me personally," Perrigan said. "My teammates and the fans had so much energy that helped me win a tough third set tiebreaker. The atmosphere that this team gives off during every match is the best in the country and is a testament to the culture we have. I'm excited to see what lies ahead for the rest of the season."

UP NEXT
The Green and Blue embark on a season-long road trip starting with two matches in Statesboro, Ga. While in Georgia, FGCU will face Troy on Saturday, March 5 and Georgia Southern March 6.

FULL RESULTS
Doubles
1) A. Alfonzo/Cerrini (FGCU) def. Espinoza/Waitman (FAMU) 6-2
2) Lander/Fernandez (FGCU) def. Okungbowa/Skoromnyy (FAMU) 6-4
3) E. Alfonzo/Perrigan (FGCU) vs. Small/Evans (FAMU) DNF
Singles
1) A. Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Okungbowa (FAMU) 6-1, 6-4
2) Small (FAMU) def. E. Alfonzo (FGCU) 4-6, 6-4, 10-8
3) Cerrini (FGCU) def. Waitman (FAMU) 6-4, 6-3
4) Espinoza (FAMU) def. Fernandez (FGCU) 7-5, 6-3
5) Landert (FGCU) def. Evans (FAMU) 6-1, 6-0
6) Perrigan (FGCU) def. Skoromnyy (FAMU) 4-6, 6-3, 11-9
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 2), Singles (5, 1, 3, 4, 6, 2)

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 of competition.
 
CJ WEBER
FGCU is led by CJ Weber who has coached 16 A-Sun All-Conference selections since joining the Green and Blue in 2011. In his fifth year, Weber has compiled a 55-40 (.579) overall record and a 20-11 (.645) record in A-Sun play. In 2014-15, Weber guided the Eagles to their first-ever Atlantic Sun Championship and first-ever Atlantic Sun Regular Season title after a program-best 17 wins. In his third season, Weber led 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.
 
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.