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Rhys Milne and Igor Schattan upset the No. 12 ranked doubles team of Axel Holm and Eden Peleg at No. 1 doubles, but it wasn't enough as Lee University men's tennis team lost 8-1 to No. 7 Valdosta State University Saturday morning at the DeVos Tennis Center.

"That was a great win for Rhys and Igor against a top 15 pair," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "They showed toughness in saving five match points and came up with some huge plays under pressure."

The duo posted a tie-breaker score of 7-4 to claim the doubles match, 9-8, and keep Valdosta State from sweeping the doubles competition.

VSU (13-4, 8-1 GSC) recorded wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles positions to take an early 2-0 lead. Daniel Prata and Wes Lemke were defeated 8-3 by the 24^th-ranked team of Leo Blay and Xavier Pineda. Jakes Okines and Boyd Blackburn were edged 8-6 by Jordi Mas and Fernando Rivas.

The visitors posted straight-set victories in all six singles matches, but needed tie-breakers in two of their opening sets. Rivas (ranked No. 42) beat Prata 7-1 in a first set tie-breaker before winning the second set, 6-3. Stewart needed a 7-3 margin in a tie-breaker against Blackburn.

This was the second-straight ranked opponent for the Flames in the last two days. Lee fell 5-1 to No. 41 West Alabama on Friday.

"Overall we played much better today," added Hynes. "Valdosta are very strong at the top of the lineup. This time of year there are no easy matches. We just need to keep working hard."

Lee hosts Tennessee Wesleyan University Tuesday afternoon at the DeVos Tennis Center. The non-conference match is set for 2 p.m.
 

#7 VADOSTA STATE 8, LEE UNIVERSITY 1
Singles competition
1. #12 Leo Blay (VSU) def. Rhys Milne (LEE-M) 6-0, 6-1
2. Jordi Mas (VSU) def. Teodor Deljanovski (LEE-M) 6-0, 6-0
3. #19 Xavier Pineda (VSU) def. Igor Schattan (LEE-M) 6-2, 6-1
4. #42 Fernando Rivas (VSU) def. Daniel Prata (LEE-M) 7-6 (7-1), 6-3
5. Davis Stewart (VSU) def. Boyd Blackburn (LEE-M) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
6. Eden Peleg (VSU) def. Westley Lemke (LEE-M) 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Rhys Milne/Igor Schattan (LEE-M) def. #12 Axel Holm/Eden Peleg (VSU) 9-8 (7-4)
2. Jordi Mas/Fernando Rivas (VSU) def. Jake Okines/Boyd Blackburn (LEE-M) 8-6
3. #24 Leo Blay/Xavier Pineda (VSU) def. Daniel Prata/Westley Lemke (LEE-M) 8-3