The Lee University men's tennis team made quick work of Shorter University with a 7-0 Gulf South Conference victory Thursday afternoon at the DeVos Tennis Center. The Flames improved to 10-3 overall and 1-2 within the GSC. The Hawks fell to 2-7 (0-6 GSC).
Lee jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead following doubles competition. Daniel Prata and Antonio Pons beat Benjamin Ginter and Blakely Bottegal 6-1 at the third position. Jesus Garcia and Cristian Pons recorded the same score against Kirandevaa Namadevan and Anthony Lekoko at No. 2 doubles. The final doubles match was left unfinished.
Prata pushed the Lee lead to 2-0 with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Namadevan. Jake Okines was a 6-4, 6-0 winner over Malik Yawar at No. 1 singles. Garcia clinched the team victory with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Gregoire Vincent.
Antonio Pons won at the fourth position 6-2, 6-1. Cristian Pons lost just two games in his match with Lekoko. Max Schroeder completed the team shutout with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Bottegal at the sixth position.
"The men are starting to build some confidence," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "I think they're starting to believe they are a pretty good team. They've put a lot of hard work in and it's starting to pay off now."
The Flames take to the road this weekend for a pair of GSC contests. Lee travels to Cleveland, Miss., to face Delta State University on Saturday at 10 a.m. before heading to Memphis, Tenn., to battle Christian Brothers University on Sunday.
