RICHMOND, Ky. –Freshman
Matei Palcau survived a thrilling three-set classic in singles play to clinch a team victory for Jacksonville State men's tennis in Friday's ASUN Conference opener at Eastern Kentucky. That triumph on court five for the first-year Gamecock from Romania ensured a positive result for the visitors in a 5-2 win in the Bluegrass State.
"Today was a quality team win," associate head coach
Trey Morris said. "I'm very happy with the result. We've been talking with the guys about how challenging conference play is going to be throughout the ASUN season and that was the case today. At times, it might not have been our best tennis across the board, but it's not always going to be. Our guys found a way to fight through it and stay tough and that's why we're 1-0 in the conference.
"We're very pleased," Morris added. "We're going to enjoy this win and then get back to work tomorrow as we prepare for North Alabama."
Jax State (9-6, 1-0) opened the match with a solid start in doubles play.
Vanja Dobrnjac and
Lucius Soller scored a 6-3 victory in the no. 1 doubles flight and shortly thereafter the duo of
Konstantin Benneman and
Alin Fatu ended up on the right side of a 6-4 decision on court two.
One-on-one matchups were much more evenly matched in Friday's league showdown. The two former Ohio Valley Conference rivals traded triumphs in singles play, as Fatu (6-4, 7-5) and Soller (6-4, 6-2) earned two-set singles wins to hand the Gamecocks a 3-2 advantage. In a crucial flight on court three, however, it was Palcau who reigned victorious 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4, to clinch the match for Morris' squad. Sophomore
Vicente Arbelaez added a two-set result later in the match for good measure, leading to a 5-2 final score in favor of Jacksonville State.
Jax State tennis returns to play at home on Sunday, as they will host ASUN foe North Alabama at the JSU Tennis Courts. Women's matches in Calhoun County will start at 10 a.m. and men's action will follow. Links to follow along with live stats will be provided at JSUGamecockSports.com.
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 EKU
3/17/2023 at Richmond, Ky.
JSU 5, EKU 2
Singles Competition
- Moritz Mayer (EKU) def. Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) 6-2, 6-2
- Alin Fatu (JSU) def. Kristoffer Stahlbrand (EKU) 6-4, 7-5
- Matei Palcau (JSU) def. Paul-Antoine Brazet (EKU) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4
- Julappagar Anurag Reddy (EKU) def. Vanja Dobrnjac (JSU) 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
- Lucius Soller (JSU) def. Arthur Bugeaud (EKU) 6-4, 6-2
- Vicente Arbelaez (JSU) def. Zachary White (EKU) 6-4, 7-6 (8-6)
Doubles Competition
- Vanja Dobrnjac/Lucius Soller (JSU) def. Arthur Bugeaud/Kristoffer Stahlbrand (EKU) 6-3
- Konstantin Benneman/Alin Fatu (JSU) def. Paul-Antoine Brazet/Moritz Mayer (EKU) 6-4
- Logan Haga/Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) vs. Julappagar Anurag Reddy/Zachary White (EKU) 5-6, unfinished
