JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With four titles underneath its belt in three seasons, the FGCU men's tennis team begins its quest for a fifth and sixth as ASUN Conference play begins Friday against UNF. The Eagles (3-5) and Ospreys begin the conference slate at 6 p.m.

INSTANT CLASSIC
The last time these two sides met, FGCU pulled out a dramatic 4-3 victory at 3:15 in the morning. The Eagles and Ospreys were delayed by nearly seven hours in the ASUN Semifinals, with the Green and Blue booking a ticket to the ASUN Final thanks to a win at No. 6 singles from Javier Fernandez (Ibiza, Spain/IES CTEIB).

FGCU claimed the doubles point and the first singles point only for UNF to claim three-straight singles matches to lead 3-2. Andres Alfonzo stormed back in his third set, winning six-consecutive games to tie the match at 3-3. From there, Fernandez finished off the match at No. 6 to seal the win.

Mateo Ruiz (Bucaramanga, Colombia/Oklahoma State) also earned a singles victory that night, defeating #123 Jefta Kecic at No. 2.

Ruiz and Fernandez also claimed a doubles win at No. 3.

TITLE CONTENDERS
FGCU and UNF were voted two of the top three teams in the ASUN according to the preseason poll and both reside in the top-four heading into conference action. The Eagles were named the favorites, receiving three first-place votes and 43 total points. UNF meanwhile garnered two votes and 40 total points. Stetson also received two votes but finished ahead of Stetson with 42 points.

Since 2015, either FGCU or UNF have claimed the regular season or tournament crown.

SCOUTING THE OSPREYS
At 5-6, UNF presents a tested lineup following matches with #3 Ohio State and #45 Georgia State. After playing No. 2 last year, Kecic has moved to No. 1 with a 2-7 record on the year. Lasse Muscheites is 4-2 at No. 2 while Sahil Deshmukh is 4-2 at No. 3.

In doubles, the pairing of Nilo Duarte and Kecic have won three of their eight completed matches at No. 1 while Deshmukh is a member of two undefeated duos at No. 2. The junior is 3-0 alongside Till Von Winning and 4-0 while teaming with Muscheites.

FGCU is 5-10 all-time against UNF heading into this season.

LAST TIME OUT
The Eagles remained perfect at home with a 4-2 victory over UT-Arlington last weekend. The Green and Blue used doubles wins from Ruiz and Fernandez at No. 2 and Ezequiel Cerrini (Sunny Isles Beach, Fla./Homeschool) and Felipe Ramirez (Armenia, Colombia/Florida Virtual School) at No. 3 to secure the doubles point.

Ruiz later clinched the match with his victory at No. 4 singles. Felipe Escobar (Pereira, Colombia/Liceo Frances de Pereira/TCU) and Austin Bates (Marietta, Ga./Pope HS) earned victories during singles as well.

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 76-61 (.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.