FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University men's tennis team opened its season against Louisiana on Saturday but fell 4–3 to the Ragin' Cajuns despite a late rally.

The Eagles (0–1) dropped the doubles point, with the lone win coming from Pablo Paternostro and Mika Bunjes on court No. 2.

In singles play, Harry Michalowski fell to extend Louisiana's lead to 2–0, and Bunjes' loss put FGCU in a 3–0 hole. The Eagles responded as Paternostro earned a 6–3, 6–4 win on court No. 3 to get FGCU on the scoreboard.

 Newcomer Tanner Povey battled to a 7–6 (5), 6–4 victory on court No. 1, cutting the deficit. Jonathan Baron then evened the match for the Eagles, winning 7–6, 3–6, 6–3 on court No. 2.

The match came down to court No. 5, where Gustav Hasslegren dropped the first set 6–1, rallied to win the second 7–6 (6), but ultimately fell 6–2 in the deciding set.

The Eagles return to action Sunday to face host and No. 14 UCF at 2 p.m. in Orlando.

Singles

1. Tanner Povey (FGCU) def. Mason Landreth (UL) 7–6 (7–5), 6–4
2. Jonathan Baron (FGCU) def. Leonard Tramolay (UL) 7–6, 3–6, 6–3
3. Pablo Paternostro (FGCU) def. Darius Balan (UL) 6–3, 6–4
4. David Simeonov (UL) def. Mika Bunjes (FGCU) 6–3, 6–4
5. Samuel Kyjaci (UL) def. Gustav Hasslegren (FGCU) 6–1, 6–7 (6–8), 6–2
6. Nikola Kolyachev (UL) def. Harry Michalowski (FGCU) 6–1, 6–3

 
Order of finish – 6,4,3,1,2,5
 
Doubles

1. Landreth/Tramolay (UL) def. Baron/Hasslegren (FGCU) 6–4
2. Paternostro/Bunjes (FGCU) def. Kyjaci/Simeonov (UL) 6–4
3. Kolyachev/Balan (UL) def. Hadjivarnava/Michalowski (FGCU) 6–4

Order of finish – 1,2,3
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