MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Lee University men's tennis team ended its regular season with a 4-3 Gulf South Conference victory over Montevallo Sunday afternoon at the University of Montevallo Tennis Court Complex.
The No. 41 Flames (16-5, 6-4 GSC) took an early 1-0 lead following doubles competition. Jesus Garcia and Cristian Pons raced past Georg Trompler and Tanguy David 6-1 at the second position. Jake Okines and Bruno Medeiros secured the team point with a 6-3 win over Peter Dahlin and James Bloomer. The No. 3 doubles match was not played.
No. 44 Montevallo (8-7, 3-4 GSC) won the first two singles matches to take a 2-1 lead. Dahlin won 6-4 and 6-1 at No. 2 singles against Garcia. Trompler, ranked No. 22, held off Okines for a 6-4, 7-6 win at the top spot.
Antonio Pons overcame a 7-6 first-set loss to David to win the next two sets 6-0 and 6-2 to tie the team score at 2-2. Cristian Pons posted a three-set win over Daniel Del Val and Daniel Prata defeated Gavin Salton 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the team victory.
Tobias Rauch and Medeiros engaged in a three-set battle at No. 6 singles. Medeiros won the opening set 6-4 and Rauch forced a third set with a 6-3 mark in the second set. Rauch outlasted Medeiros 14-12 in the super set tie-breaker to supply the final team margin.
"What a win for our guys," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "They (Montevallo) had a very large and loud crowd and to bounce back after such a tough match last night shows how much character these guys have. I'm incredibly proud of everyone, but we asked Daniel and Antonio for a little more today and they delivered big time. It was a massive road win for this program and now it's time to get ready for the tournament."
The GSC Championship will be held May 2-4 at Lagoon Park and O'Connor Tennis Center in Montgomery, Ala.
