CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jacksonville State men's tennis channeled some frustration from a heartbreaking defeat earlier in the week and took it out on Queens in Friday's road ASUN Conference match. The Gamecocks dominated from early on, racing to a quick 6-1 victory over the Royals in Charlotte, N.C.
 
"This was a good team win for the guys today," associate head coach Trey Morris said after. "We came and played a Queens team that really has some quality at the top, and our guys were able to take care of business. 
 
"Going into this match, we were disappointed coming off of North Alabama and we challenged the guys as a staff to step it up and to make a statement in this match," Morris said. "That's what they did today. I'm very pleased with that and happy with their performance."
 
Jax State (10-7, 2-1) claimed a tight doubles point in the Queen City. Logan Haga and Xavier Sarda Marti pulled away early in a 6-1 triumph on court three and Konstantin Benneman and Alin Fatu held on late to secure a 7-5 victory in the no. 2 doubles flight to earn the opening point over the Royals (5-12, 1-3). 
 
The visiting Gamecocks wasted little time clinching a match victory at Queens. Lucius Soller (6-1, 6-1) and Vicente Arbelaez (6-3, 6-1) rolled to a pair of quick singles wins before Vanja Dobrnjac finalized the match result with a 6-3, 6-2, decision on court four. Sarda Marti (7-5, 6-4) and Fatu (4-6, 6-2, 1-0 [10-8]) also garnered hard-fought triumphs late to cap off a successful showing in North Carolina. 
 
Jax State will continue its road trip up the east coast on Sunday with a noon match at two-time defending ASUN champion Liberty. First serve is set for 12 p.m. CST in Lynchburg, Va. The men's match will immediately follow the women's affair, which is slated to begin at 9 a.m. Links to follow along with live stats will be provided at JSUGamecockSports.com.
 
"(Liberty has) been a team that's managed to be towards the top of the conference for quite some time now," Morris said. "They've shown their quality nationally at times as well, being consistently ranked in the top 75 over the last several years. We know it's a team that we're going to have to be ready for, but our guys have been training hard and preparing the right way. 
 
"I've said it before and I'll say it again: we have the ability to play with anyone in the country in my opinion," Morris said. "This is no different than any other match. We're ready to come out and bring it from point one to the end. If we're willing to bring our quality on Sunday, I believe we'll come out victorious. We're excited for another opportunity in the ASUN and excited to compete against a solid Liberty team." 
 
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 QU
3/24/2023 at Charlotte, N.C.
JSU 6, QU 1
 
Singles Competition
 

1.  Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) def. Edoardo Bottino (QU) 7-5, 6-4
2. Alin Fatu (JSU) def. Edoardo Cecere (QU) 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-8)
3. Win Steveker (QU) def. Matei Palcau (JSU) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (7-5)
4. Vanja Dobrnjac (JSU) def. Laurenz Blickwede (QU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Lucius Soller (JSU) def. Samuele Pia (QU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Vicente Arbelaez (JSU) def. Filippo Ercole (QU) 6-3, 6-1

Doubles Competition
 

1. Vanja Dobrnjac/Lucius Soller (JSU) vs. Edoardo Bottino/Laurenz Blickwede (QU) 6-6, unfinished
2. Konstantin Benneman/Alin Fatu (JSU) def. Edoardo Cecere/Win Steveker (QU) 7-5
3. Logan Haga/Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) def. Euan Lynes/Quinton McNamara (QU) 6-1