FORT MYERS, Fla. – Clutch points from the middle of the lineup helped the FGCU men's tennis team overcome a match suspension and a rejuvenated USC Upstate team Sunday morning. The Eagles (14-5, 4-0 Atlantic Sun) and Spartans (5-12, 1-2 A-Sun) began their Atlantic Sun contest Saturday but match officials suspended play due to rain with the Eagles leading 1-0 and dominating singles play. FGCU went on to win 6-1 Sunday, marking its 16th win in as many tries in conference play and its 13th consecutive win at home.

More than 500 fans witnessed FGCU take a 1-0 lead in the match after doubles but the crowd dispersed after the match was suspended.

"This match was probably our most complete match of the year," said head coach CJ Weber. "We can still improve in some areas, but I like where this team is headed. The rain delay was a great challenge for us, especially because Upstate responded this morning really well, which we expected. But then we closed out the match well. All in all, it was a great college tennis match and I want to thank all of the fans who came last night. We have some of the best support in the country and there are not too many programs that can brag of a 500-plus crowd."

The weather delay was costly early as USC Upstate tightened the matches on all courts except at No. 6 and No. 2. Lucas Vaz (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Fleming/Tulsa) picked up where he left off, finishing off a 6-1 first set win and duplicated that result in the second set to put FGCU in front 2-0, defeating Tomas Venere. At No. 2, Ezequiel Cerrini (Sunny Isles Beach, Fla./Homeschool) turned a 0-4 deficit into a 7-5 first set win as the momentum turned back in the favor of the Green and Blue.

"I'm really proud of this team," Vaz said. "Today we showed that we can play our best tennis in any circumstance. We had a really good start last night, winning the doubles point and translating that focus into singles. This team is ready for anything after having to get up and play this morning."

At No. 5 Javier Fernandez (Ibiza, Spain/IES CTEIB) fought off Ignacio Garrido in the first set, claiming it 6-3 win. The freshman then capped off his fifth-consecutive win with a 6-4 win to put FGCU on the brink of the match victory. The Eagles wouldn't have to wait long thanks to Cerrini winning his second set at No. 2 6-2 over Ankush Arora.
With the match clinched, Oliver Landert (Naples, Fla./Florida Virtual School/Florida), who had fought off an early rally in the first set to win 6-3, was forced to a third set against Lenhard Haupt. The sophomore won a thrilling third-set tiebreak 10-7 for FGCU's fifth point of the match and his seventh-straight victory. Minutes later, Eduardo Alfonzo (Hollywood, Fla./Barry University) clinched his match at No. 3. Alfonzo was in a tight match against Jamie Yates but won in straight sets 7-6, 6-3.

"Everything started in our warm-up," Landert said. "Everyone was 100 percent locked in from the first ball they struck until the last one. We came out firing in doubles which gave us a lot of confidence heading into singles. Upstate has been really difficult to play in the past and I am so proud of my team for being resilient throughout the whole match even after the match was suspended."

Ricky Ventura (Barcelona, Spain/University of Barcelona) also had to overcome a slow start to the morning after seeing his 4-1 lead cut to 4-3. The senior finished off the first set 6-4 but dropped the second 6-2. In the third, Ventura and Ramon Simonetti had split the first 10 games and would ultimately require a tiebreaker. Simonetti emerged victorious, winning 6-2 in the tiebreaker.

UP NEXT
In the final week of play, FGCU will face UNF and Stetson. On Thursday, the Eagles travel to Jacksonville to meet the Ospreys. FGCU will then come back home to meet Stetson Saturday at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

FULL RESULTS
DOUBLES
1) A. Alfonzo/Cerrini (FGCU) vs. Simonetti/Arora (Upstate) 4-3 – DNF
2) Ventura/Vaz (FGCU) def. Haupt/Garrido (Upstate) 6-3
3) E. Alfonzo/Landert (FGCU) def. Yates/Venere (Upstate) 6-1
SINGLES
1) Simonetti (Upstate) def. Ventura (FGCU) 4-6, 6-2, 7-6
2) Cerrini (FGCU) def. Arora (Upstate) 7-5, 6-2
3) E. Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Yates (Upstate) 7-5, 6-3
4) Landert (FGCU) def. Haupt (Upstate) 6-3, 6-7 (9-11), 10-7
5) Fernandez (FGCU) def. Garrido (Upstate) 6-3, 6-4
6) Vaz (FGCU) def. Venere (Upstate) 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 2), Singles (6, 5, 2, 4, 3, 1)
 
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 62-41 (.598) overall record and a 24-11 (.676) 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.