GSC CHAMPIONSHIPS PAGE
The Lee University men's tennis team returns to action for the first time since April 14 when they take the court against the University of Montevallo in the First Round of the Gulf South Conference Men's Tennis Championship. The championship will be held at Lagoon Park and O'Connor Tennis Center in Montgomery, Ala., with Thursday's matches scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EDT.
The Flames are making an appearance in the GSC Championship for the fourth consecutive season and enter with its highest seeding. Lee posted a record of 16-5 and were 6-4 in conference play to earn No. 4 seed. The Falcons hold a 10-8 record and earned the No. 5 seed with a 5-5 GSC mark.
Both teams are represented in the April 24 release of the Oracle/ITA Division II Men's Collegiate Tennis Rankings. The Flames sit at No. 46 as a team, while Montevallo's Greg Trompler is ranked No. 22 in the singles rankings.
"We had a great match with Montevallo a few weeks ago and I'm expecting another battle," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "Our guys have been training well, so we are just excited to get down to Montgomery and compete."
In the previous matchup, the Flames took an early 1-0 lead following doubles competition. Jesus Garcia and Cristian Pons raced past 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.
Montevallo, ranked No. 44 at the time, 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 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.
The winner of Thursday morning's match will advance to face either Valdosta State or Alabama Huntsville in the semifinal round at 2:30 p.m. EDT Friday.
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