Box Score
ORLANDO, Fla. – In a matchup of region teams, the Lee University men's tennis team claimed its biggest win of the season with a 5-4 upset of No. 42 Florida Tech Wednesday evening at the USTA National Campus. The Panthers (9-3) are ranked ninth in the South Region.
"This is the biggest win we've had," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "To come down here and beat these guys on their turf says a lot about the heart of this team. We played sensational doubles on all three courts and got great starts in every position."
The Flames (4-2) grabbed a 2-1 edge following doubles action. Florida Tech jumped out to a quick lead with an 8-5 win by Wade Ball and Tjimon Louisy over Daniel Prata and Westley Lemke. Jake Okines and Boyd Blackburn were 8-4 winners against Majed Alshaikh and James Finnigan. Rhys Milne and Igor Schattan held on to beat Aria Solana and Ricardo Corona 8-5.
Florida Tech evened the score at 2-2 with Finnigan's 6-0, 6-3 defeat of Blackburn at No. 6 singles. Okines put the Flames back ahead with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Gerard Carpinell. Schattan gave Lee a two-point lead with matching 6-4 sets against Ball.
Milne secured the team victory with a three-set win at No. 1 singles. Solana took the opening set 6-1 and Milne forced a third set with a 6-4 margin in set No. 2. Milne finished the match with a 6-4 mark in the third set.
"Jake was super consistent and gave us a great platform to build on," added Hynes. "Igor doesn't play like your average freshman. He's got something special in him. This was easily the biggest win of Rhys' career. I'm proud of the way he finished. He committed to us when we were a losing program and deserved that moment."
Florida Tech gained team points for wins at No. 5 and No. 2 singles to provide the final margin. Prata fell 7-5 and 6-4 to Alshaikh, while Corona needed three sets and a tie-breaker in the first set to down Teodor Deljanovski.
"We set a goal this year to knock off a top 50 program and I'm so proud, but we still have a lot to work on as well," admitted Hynes. "This will help get us ready for our conference."
The Flames finish their spring break tour with one more match on Thursday. Lee faces John Carroll University at 12:30 p.m.
LEE UNIVERSITY 5, #42 FLORIDA TECH 4
Singles competition
1. Rhys Milne (LEE-M) def. Aria Canadell Solana (FIT) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4
2. Ricardo Corona (FIT) def. Teodor Deljanovski (LEE-M) 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 6-4
3. Jake Okines (LEE-M) def. Gerard Carpinell (FIT) 6-3, 6-1
4. Igor Schattan (LEE-M) def. Wade Ball (FIT) 6-4, 6-4
5. Majed Alshaikh (FIT) def. Daniel Prata (LEE-M) 7-5, 6-4
6. James Finnigan (FIT) def. Boyd Blackburn (LEE-M) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Rhys Milne/Igor Schattan (LEE-M) def. Aria Canadell Solana/Ricardo Corona (FIT) 8-5
2. Jake Okines/Boyd Blackburn (LEE-M) def. Majed Alshaikh/James Finnigan (FIT) 8-4
3. Wade Ball/Tjimon Louisy (FIT) def. Daniel Prata/Westley Lemke (LEE-M) 8-5
