JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State men's tennis team fell in a close 4-3 decision to Southern Miss on Saturday at the JSU Tennis Courts.
 
Jax State (6-2) fought until the final serve, but the Golden Eagles (3-0) found a way to remain undefeated with a three-set battle to win the match.
 
The Gamecocks jumped ahead 1-0 by winning the doubles point, but even its decision came down to three sets. Aljaz Kaplja and Thomas Norwood won 6-3 at No. 1, but Southern Miss' Alexander Gima and Mattieu Peres won a marathon set over Jordi Blanchar and Jordi Agost 7-5 at No. 2. It came down to Joaquin Vallejo and Maj Tomas winning a 6-4 decision at No. 3.
 
Vallejo earned the first singles point, winning 6-4, 6-1 over Gima at No. 1, and Agost put the Gamecocks one away from claiming victory with a two-set win at No. 2 over Alan Sanson, but the Golden Eagles stormed back with three consecutive points to tie the match 3-3.
 
The contest came down to the No. 5 game. Agustin Suarez won the first set 6-2, and Christopher Cahour won the second 6-4. With one set to go, Cahour got the best of the JSU sophomore 6-3 in the third for match point.
 
The Gamecocks look to bounce back Monday, March 8 when they visit Troy for a 10 a.m. match. Jax State returns home Friday, March 19 to open OVC play against Eastern Illinois.
 
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