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The Lee University men's tennis team won two of the three doubles matches and four of the six singles matches to earn a 6-3 win over Delta State University at the DeVos Tennis Center to even its Gulf South Conference (GSC) record at 2-2.

The Flames will carry an overall record of 5-3 into Saturday's non-conference match against Emmanuel College. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m.

Delta State (1-3, 0-1 GSC) grabbed an early lead with a win at No. 3 doubles. Alexi Turc and Julian Massa defeated Karl Hulten and Charles Jabaley, 8-2. Rhys Milne and Boyd Blackburn outlasted Timo Schmitz and Joao Yamacita, 8-6, to even the score. Eirik Groner teamed with Jake Okines to give the Flames a 2-1 lead with an 8-5 margin over Hicham Azzaoui and Jeoffrey Noblecourt.

"Today was an absolute war," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "We were able to jump on them early and it was great to see our pairs stand up when the match was on the line. This was something that we spoke about going into the match."

Noblecourt would get a little revenge with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Okines at No. 2 singles. Turc gave Delta State a 3-2 lead following his three-set win over Groner.

Blackburn put Lee back on the winning path with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Schmitz. Milne fought back from losing to Azzaoui 6-2 in the opening set to force a third set with a 6-3 mark in the second. Milne and Azzaoui battled to a 6-6 tie before Milne won the tie-breaker 7-4 to win the set and the match.

"Rhys pulled out a huge win for us," said Hynes. "I'm very pleased for him. He committed to this program because he believed in our vision and today he gave us the opportunity to win. There was a lot going on during his match and he was able to fight his way through and find a way to win. Boyd also did a great job taking care of his court and we got solid wins from Karl and Charles."

Hulten sandwiched a 7-5 setback between two 6-2 wins to hold off Yamacita at No. 5 singles and secure the team victory. Jabaley supplied the final team score margin with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Massa at the No. 6 singles slot.

"Delta State didn't make it easy for us, but we found a way to get there in the end. Great win for our program," added Hynes.
 

Lee University 6, Delta State 3
Singles
1. Alexi Turc (DSU) def. Eirik Groner (LEE) 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
2. Jeoffrey Noblecourt (DSU) def. Jake Okines (LEE) 6-4, 6-2
3. Rhys Milne (LEE) def. Hicham Azzaoui (DSU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Boyd Blackburn (LEE) def. Timo Schmitz (DSU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Karl Hulten (LEE) def. Joao Yamacita (DSU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
6. Charles Jabaley (LEE) def. Julian Massa (DSU) 7-5, 6-3
 
Doubles
1. Eirik Groner/Jake Okines (LEE) def. Hicham Azzaoui/Jeoffrey Noblecourt (DSU) 8-5
2. Rhys Milne/Boyd Blackburn (LEE) def. Timo Schmitz/Joao Yamacita (DSU) 8-6
3. Alexi Turc/Julian Massa (DSU) def. Karl Hulten/Charles Jabaley (LEE) 8-2