2021 GSC MEN'S TENNIS ALL-GSC TEAM

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Gulf South Conference released its 2021 Men's Tennis All-Conference Awards Wednesday afternoon, the day before the 2021 GSC Championships are set to begin. Jesus Garcia was named First Team and Nico Ramirez earned a spot on the Second Team.

Garcia enters the postseason with a 10-4 singles record. He is 6-3 within conference play with all matches played at the No. 1 singles spot. Garcia is currently No. 19 in the Oracle/ITA Division II Rankings and is 3-0 against ranked opponents.

Ramirez holds an overall record of 10-5 and is 6-3 in GSC competition. He is 9-5 at the No. 2 singles position and won his only match at the No. 1 position. Ramirez has won his last five matches and is 8-2 in his last 10. He is 2-0 against nationally-ranked opponents.

"I see how hard Jesus and Nico work at their craft and they should be proud of their accomplishment," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "Both guys have had an excellent year. There's a lot of top-notch players on those teams, they've definitely earned it."

Diego Garcia was announced as the GSC Freshman of the Week this week after claiming a No. 3 singles win and teaming with Ramirez to win at No. 3 doubles against Mississippi College.

The Flames (9-6) enter the GSC Tennis Championships as the No. 6 seed and will matchup with No. 3 seed Delta State University on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Delta State enters with a 14-3 record and are ranked No. 10 in DII.

Emile Le Terrier and Trey Seymour of Delta State are the eighth-ranked doubles team, while Lee's doubles team of Antonio Pons and Bruno Medeiros are No. 19. Le Terrier joins Garcia in the singles ratings. While Garcia is No. 19, Le Terrier holds onto No. 49.

"We played them at home earlier this season and it was very close. They are playing well, so we will need to show up ready to fight. I think it's going to be a good match," added Hynes.

The Flames came up just short in a 4-3 loss to Delta State on April 2. DSU won two of the three doubles matches to take a 1-0 lead. Following the first three singles matches, the team score was tied at 2-2 with Ramirez between then-ranked No. 36 Hugo Stroppiana 6-2, 6-1 and Garcia defeating Le Terrier 7-5, 7-6 (12-10). Cristian Pons earned a 6-1, 7-5 win and Antonio Pons fell 6-0, 6-3 to leave the No. 6 singles match between Diego Garcia and Emilliano del Arco as the deciding point. Del Arco earned the team win with a 6-2, 6-4 score.

A win against Delta State would set the Flames up for a semifinal match against either No. 2 seed West Florida or No. 7 seed Montevallo on Friday.

"I'm just excited to get down to Montgomery and play. At the start of the fall semester we were all unsure if things were going to happen this year, so we are thankful for the opportunity to compete and represent Lee. Thanks again to the hard work of our administration at Lee who worked so hard to make sure we were able to play this year and have these opportunities. Hopefully we can go down and show our gratitude with our effort and bring home some good results," Hynes concluded.