JACKSONVILLE – Gamecock men's tennis was able to take out some frustration on the visiting Lee Flames in Thursday's 6-1 triumph at the JSU Tennis Courts. That win in the Spring 2023 home opener serves as not just the first of the season for Jacksonville State, but also their first triumph with associate head coach Trey Morris.
 
"I was really happy with our guys' performance today," Morris said. "Coming off our first match of the year, it was clear we had some things to work on. I felt we did that today, of course, and it's clear that our guys responded well. They came out today very focused and ultimately put on a good performance. We're happy with that, and happy to see a few freshman get the first wins of their dual-match career here at JSU."
 
Jax State (1-1) wasted little time putting away the Flames. Alin Fatu and Alejandro Beneyto Sanchez earned a quick 6-1 win in doubles play just before the tandem of Agustin Cuellar and Xavier Sarda Marti secured the doubles point with a 6-2 victory.
 
Like their women's squad, the Gamecocks walked away winners of five singles matches in Thursday's home opener. Vicente Arbelaez started off singles competition with a 6-2, 6-1, drubbing and Vanja Dobrnjac followed with a 6-2, 6-2, win in the sixth flight. A 6-4, 6-1, triumph for Cuellar clinched the match for Jacksonville State, and first-year contributors Beneyto Sanchez and Sarda Marti added wins late to cap off a successful day in Calhoun County.
 
"We're looking forward to taking this momentum from today, continue to build on it and get better on some of the details as we head into a couple matches in Mississippi this weekend," Morris said.
 
With Thursday's win, Jax State is now 1-1 on the season. They will have no time to gloat, however, as the team prepares for a weekend road trip containing a pair of challenging matches. The Gamecocks take on Alcorn State at 3 p.m. Friday and then head to Jackson, Miss., for a showdown with Jackson State at 2 p.m. Saturday.
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Twitter (@JaxStateTN), Instagram (@JaxStateMTennis), and Facebook (Jacksonville State University Tennis) accounts. 
 
Tennis Match Results
JSU vs LU
1/25/2023 at Jacksonville, Ala. (JSU Tennis Courts)
JSU 6, LU 1
 
Singles Competition
 

1. Agustin Cuellar (JSU) def. Nico Ramirez (LU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Francisco Faria (LU) def. Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
3. Alin Fatu (JSU) def. Jordi Dasi (LU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-1)
4. Vicente Arbelaez (JSU) def. Mike Groenendijk (LU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Alejandro Beneyto Sanchez (JSU) def. Wihan Van Der Merwe (LU) 6-4, 6-4
6. Vanja Dobrnjac (JSU) def. Drew Johnson (LU) 6-2, 6-2

 
Doubles Competition
 

1. Francisco Faria/Nico Ramirez (LU) def. Vanja Dobrnjac/Lucius Soller (JSU) 7-6 (8-6)
2. Agustin Cuellar/Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) def. Mike Groenendijk/Quinn Groenendijk (LU) 6-2
3. Alejandro Beneyto Sanchez/Alin Fatu (JSU) def. Drew Johnson/Wihan Van Der Merwe (LU) 6-1