When Lee University officially became a member of NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference (GSC) in 2014, the entire athletic department realized it was going to be a major challenge, but none would be greater than men's tennis. After all, tennis in the Gulf South is ranked among the top in D2.
 
The Flames entered 2019 GSC tournament play without a win for three straight seasons. But the excitement began to build early in the 2019 campaign. After five years at the helm, Coach Patric Hynes directed his club to a program-best 17 regular-season wins and received the team's highest national ranking (47^th). The Flames finished fourth in the league's regular season (6-4), their best since joining the league in 2014. 

Lee completed regular season play with a hard-fought 4-3 Gulf South victory at the University of Montevallo and drew the same Falcons in the opening round of the GSC tournament on May 2 in Montgomery, Alabama. The Flames wasted no time in polishing off the Falcons, making program history with a convincing 4-1 tourney win. 

Coach Hynes recalls the moment: "There was a great feeling with this team from day one.  Everything we needed for a successful season felt like it was in place.  The team dynamic was really strong.  The work ethic was there with the group and the discipline was great.  Jake (Okines) was a strong leader for our team and the guys were hungry to get better.  We had great depth throughout the lineup and a bunch of competitors. 

"As the season progressed, we saw the group grow.  The turning point was spring break.  Just prior to that, we had come off a heartbreaking (3-4) loss against Tusculum, but rather than feel sorry for themselves, I think it gave our guys some belief that they could be pretty good.  We rolled through that week and from that point on, we did not have one match where I felt like we were easy to beat.  There was a lot of belief amongst that group.   

"The most exciting thing for us was the guys seeing it too.  We had constantly told them that we just needed to keep building, keep improving day by day and the results would come.  By the time we got to April, the results were there, and the players knew we could hang with anyone. 

"The Gulf South is always a loaded conference, and we finished fourth that year, but we so easily could have finished 8-9 (instead of 6-4).  Every match is a dog fight, there are no easy wins.  You earn everything you get, so to finish the season in the top four was a great result for our group," the coach concluded. 

Flames burning hot: The team stormed out of the gate and earned the point thanks to a 6-4 victory by Jake Okines and Bruno Medeiros in the No. 1 doubles. Jesus Garcia and Cristian Pons sealed the point with a 6-3 victory in the No. 2 doubles. 
In singles it was freshman Jesus Garcia who punched Lee's ticket to the semifinals with a beautiful back-hand winner right down the line to take No .2 singles, 6-2, 6-4.

Garcia's reaction: "It was such a special moment to hit that winner and celebrate with my teammates. The boys are so supportive, and we really pull for one another out there and help one another. My opponent was tough, and we knew it was going to be a battle like it was in the regular season. I am just thankful we were able to get this win. I love playing for this team and playing for Coach Hynes and Coach (Alejandro) Bejar."

Pons earned another point for the Flames at No. 4 singles winning in straight sets (6-1, 6-2). Prata, the vocal leader of the team, had a lot to celebrate as he won his singles match, 6-3, 6-1.

Hynes praises team effort: "We battled all day. The four/five matchup is always a tough one. It is generally the longest match and evenly contested. It had been a couple of weeks since we had played but the guys did a great job of coming out strong in doubles. It was tough matches in singles, but I think we did a better job on the big points against very good opponents. Jesus was able to get the result in his match after losing to the same guy a few weeks earlier and I think that just speaks to his spirit and the spirit of this team. 

"We've always wanted to establish a tight-knit culture, a group that truly played for each other and wanted to get better. The guys really do care about each other, not just as players but as people. They do not let each other slide on the practice court and they really get after and help one another. I think you saw that translate on match days." 

The outstanding record-setting year came to an end when Lee lost in the semifinal round to 16^th-ranked Valdosta State.  

2020 season cut short: The Flames did not get an opportunity to make an appearance in the scheduled 2020 GSC tournament. The NCAA DII and Gulf South canceled all spring sporting events on March 13 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Lee was 6-4 at the time and three of the four losses had come against conference powerhouse opponents West Florida, West Alabama, and Valdosta State.  

Working toward new season: The 2021 season for both tennis teams opens on Feb. 12 at Tusculum.