JACKSONVILLE – Gamecock men's tennis claimed a competitive doubles point and never slowed down in a 5-2 triumph over Southern Miss on Monday afternoon. That win at the JSU Tennis Courts allows Jacksonville State to end non-conference play on the right foot before opening a stout ASUN Conference slate this weekend.
 
"I'm very pleased with the effort we had against a good Southern Miss team who's very capable at every spot in the lineup," associate head coach Trey Morris said after the win. "Our guys showed the quality, discipline, and habits they possess today. There's been a lot of hard work this season and there's still a lot left to do, but what we did show today is that the positive habits and the little things done on a consistent basis do pay off."
 
Two-on-two competition was extremely tight in Monday's battle of the birds. The tandem of Logan Haga and Xavier Sarda Marti scored a 6-2 win on court three to put Jacksonville State (8-6) out in front, but the no. 1 and no. 2 doubles flights were very evenly matched down to the final serve. In the end, Vanja Dobrnjac and Lucius Soller won 7-6 (7-2) in tiebreakers over the top pair from Southern Miss (6-7), handing the opening point to Jax State.
 
The Gamecocks used the momentum gained from taking the doubles early in singles play. Vicente Arbelaez (6-3, 6-4) had a quick two-set win and several of his teammates raced out to early leads before the Golden Eagles began to claw back. Following a USM victory on court one, however, Jax State was able to tally consecutive close triumphs by Matei Palcau (6-1, 7-6 [7-3]) and Soller (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) to clinch the match. Dobrnjac added to the advantage with a three-setter, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 10-1, in the match's final flight.
 
Dobrnjac, a junior from Boznia and Herzegovina and the oldest player on a young Gamecock squad, recorded his team-best 11^th win of 2023 against Southern Miss.
 
With a big win over a perennially tough Golden Eagle squad, Jacksonville State appears to be peaking heading into conference play. The Gamecocks have won three of their last four matches against Division I competition and will try to keep that streak going on the road.
 
Jax State heads to Richmond, Ky., on Friday morning for their ASUN opener at Eastern Kentucky. Matches will begin around 10 a.m. in the Bluegrass State. They will return home on Sunday for a 10 a.m. first serve against North Alabama.
 
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 USM
3/13/2023 at Jacksonville, Ala.
JSU 5, USM 2
 
Singles Competition
 

1. Dakotah Bobo (USM) def. Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
2. Shamirul Shahril (USM) def. Alin Fatu (JSU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
3. Matei Palcau (JSU) def. Olimjon Nabiev (USM) 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
4. Vanja Dobrnjac (JSU) def. Alan Sanson (USM) 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 10-1
5. Lucius Soller (JSU) def. Saheb Sodhi (USM) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
6. Vicente Arbelaez (JSU) def. Antoine Audrain (USM) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles Competition
 

1. Vanja Dobrnjac/Lucius Soller (JSU) def. Dakotah Bobo/Shamirul Shahril (USM) 7-6 (7-2)
2. Konstantin Benneman/Alin Fatu (JSU) vs. Alexander Gima/Alan Sanson (USM) 5-5, unfinished
3. Logan Haga/Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) def. Pasawee Reansuwong/Saheb Sodhi (USM) 6-2