Box Score TROY, Ala. – Jacksonville State men's tennis suffered a 6-1 defeat in Saturday's non-conference matches at longtime rival Troy. The Trojans earned the opening point in some very competitive doubles flights, then used that momentum to roll to wins in five of the six singles showdowns. 
 
"Being shorthanded didn't help, but we had chances to win," head coach Mike Mucci said after the loss. "We let the doubles point slip away again, but I was proud of how we competed and gave ourselves opportunities at multiple spots."
 
After Troy (9-1) picked up a quick triumph on court two, the Jacksonville State (5-5) tandem of Vanja Dobrnjac and Lucius Soller won a 7-6 (7-3) thriller in their doubles flight to force a winner-take-all situation on court three. Unfortunately, Konstantin Benneman and Logan Haga came up just short, falling 7-5 and conceding the doubles point to Troy.
 
The hometown Trojans picked up where they left off in singles play. Troy rolled to two-set wins in the no. 2, 3, and 6 singles flights to clinch a match victory. Although Dobrnjac tallied a 6-1, 6-2, decision on court four, it was too little, too late, in a 6-1 loss in Pike County. 
 
"Our main focus right now is getting our young team healthy and preparing for Mercer on March 1," Mucci said. "We have a lot to get fixed but we will and we'll be prepared for the bulk the season in March and April."
 
Jax State's men will use the next week-and-a-half to rest up and nurse some injuries ahead of their next match on March 1. The Gamecocks will play host to Mercer in that non-conference affair with matches beginning at 10 a.m. at the JSU Tennis Courts. 
 
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 TU
2/18/2023 at Troy, Ala.
TU 6, JSU 1
 
Singles Competition
 

1. Mario Martinez (TU) def. Matei Palcau (JSU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Carles Anton (TU) def. Lucius Soller (JSU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Yeray Andres Pastor (TU) def. Vicente Arbelaez (JSU) 6-0, 6-3
4. Vanja Dobrnjac (JSU) def. Noah Marten (TU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Vito Llinares (TU) def. Alejandro Beneyto Sanchez (JSU) 2-6, 5-2, retired
6. Francisco Erramuspe (TU) def. Konstantin Benneman 6-4, 6-3

Doubles Competition
 

1. Vanja Dobrnjac/Lucius Soller (JSU) def. Carles Anton/Jules Fabre (TU) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Vito Llinares/Noah Martens (TU) def. Vicente Arbelaez/Matei Palcau (JSU) 6-0
3. Francisco Erramuspe/Mario Martinez (TU) def. Konstantin Benneman/Logan Haga (JSU) 7-5