FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Florida Gulf Coast University men's tennis team rebounded from a morning defeat with a 4–1 victory over Oral Roberts on Saturday evening after falling 4–0 to Arkansas earlier in the day.
"I'm really proud of the guys and how they competed over the past two days," said head coach
Josh Molino. "ORU is a very disciplined, competitive team, and it took some of our best stuff to get the win."
In the evening match against ORU, the Eagles opened strong in doubles play.
Jonathan Baron and
Gustav Hasslegren earned a 6–3 win in doubles No. 1 before
Mika Bunjes and
Pablo Paternostro clinched the doubles point with a 7–6 (2) victory on court 2.
Oral Roberts responded in singles action as Paternostro dropped a 6–2, 6–3 decision at No. 3 to even the match. FGCU answered quickly and did not drop another point. Hasslegren put the Eagles back in front with a 7–6 (0), 6–0 victory in singles No. 5.
Stefan Correa followed with a 6–4, 6–4 win at singles No. 6 to extend the lead to 3–1.
Tanner Povey then clinched the match for the Green & Blue with a 6–4, 6–3 victory at the No. 1 singles, securing FGCU's first win of the season.
In the morning match against Arkansas, the Razorbacks claimed the doubles point to open the day.
CJ Smith fell 6–0, 6–1 at singles No. 6, followed by Correa's 6–2, 6–1 loss at the No. 4 singles. Arkansas clinched the match when Paternostro dropped a 6–4, 6–2 decision in the No. 1 singles.
FGCU will return to action Feb. 7 as the Eagles head to Florida (1-0).
