Box Score FORT MYERS, Fla. – Looking to start its home schedule with three wins in as many attempts, the FGCU men's tennis team used a strong doubles showing and three singles wins to defeat UT-Arlington 4-2 Friday night. Leading 3-0, the Eagles (3-5) held off a late push by the Mavericks (6-3) and Mateo Ruiz clinched the win with a victory at No. 4.

"I'm extremely proud of this team," said assistant coach Lucas Vaz, who was filling in for head coach CJ Weber today. "Everyone was ready to compete as soon as doubles started. This match was probably the most disciplined match we have played this year. I believe this team is ready for anything and I'm excited for our next match against UNF."

Felipe Ramirez (Armenia, Colombia/Florida Virtual School) and Ezequiel Cerrini (Sunny Isles Beach, Fla./Homeschool) got the Green and Blue going with an impressive 6-3 win at No. 3 doubles over Eduard Simo and Andre Russo. The Eagle duo led 4-1 and 5-2, before sealing the win.

After Felipe Escobar (Pereira, Colombia/Liceo Frances de Pereira/TCU) and Austin Bates (Marietta, Ga./Pope HS) dropped a 6-4 decision at No. 1 to Guanarteme Nuez and Mauricio Del Rio, the doubles point came down to No. 2 doubles. Ruiz (Bucaramanga, Colombia/Oklahoma State) and Javier Fernandez (Ibiza, Spain/IES CTEIB) secured the point with a 6-4 victory over Enrique Pardo and Abhishek Bostola to put FGCU in front early.

Hoping to keep the momentum going, FGCU earned two singles wins to grow its lead to 3-0. The first of those wins came on Court 5 where Fernandez claimed a 6-2, 6-2 win over Russo. Moments later, it was Escobar wrapping up a 7-5, 6-0 match at No. 3 over Del Rio to put FGCU in a commanding 3-0 lead.

But losses at No. 2 and No. 1 tightened the match with two courts still in play and both in third sets. Both Bates and Ruiz were still in action, with the latter clinching the victory. Ruiz, who bounced back from a first set loss to win the second 6-4, took control midway through his third set and secured FGCU's third victory at home in as many tries with a 6-3 win in the third.

UP NEXT
FGCU begins ASUN play Friday, March 2 in Jacksonville. The Eagles face the defending regular season champions UNF Ospreys in a rematch of last season's thrilling ASUN Championship Semifinal that witnessed the Green and Blue defeat UNF 4-3 at 3:15 a.m.
 
FULL RESULTS
Doubles Results
1) Guanarteme Nuez/Mauricio Del Rio (UTA) def. Felipe Escobar/Austin Bates (FGCU) 6-4
2) Mateo Ruiz/Javier Fernandez (FGCU) def. Enrique Pardo/Abhishek Bostola (UTA) 6-4
3) Ezequiel Cerrini/Felipe Ramirez (FGCU) def. Eduard Simo/Andre Russo (UTA) 6-3
Singles Results
1) Guanarteme Nuez (UTA) def. Felipe Ramirez (FGCU) 7-6, 6-4
2) Enrique Pardo (UTA) def. Ezequiel Cerrini (FGCU) 6-4, 6-4
3) Felipe Escobar (FGCU) def. Mauricio Del Rio (UTA) 7-5, 6-0
4) Mateo Ruiz (FGCU) def. Eduard Simo (UTA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
5) Javier Fernandez (FGCU) def. Andre Russo (UTA) 6-2, 6-2
6) Austin Bates (FGCU) vs. Abhishek Bostola (UTA) 6-4, 4-6, 2-3 DNF
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 1, 2), Singles (5, 3, 2, 1, 4)

CJ WEBER
FGCU is led by CJ Weber who has coached 26 ASUN All-Conference selections since joining the Green and Blue in 2011. In his sixth year, Weber has compiled a 77-61 (.552) overall record and a 29-14 (.694) record in ASUN play. In 2014-15, Weber guided the Eagles to their first-ever ASUN Championship and first-ever ASUN 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. The Eagles completed consecutive perfect ASUN seasons in 2016 and back-to-back conference titles as well as a second-straight Coach of the Year honor for Weber.
 
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.
 
#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.