JACKSONVILLE – Vanja Dobrnjac's three-set triumph helped Jacksonville State men's tennis clinch Sunday's match at home. The Gamecocks posted a 5-2 win over the visiting Owls, which stands as their first win in the rivalry series since 2014. 
 
"This was a heck of a college tennis match, from start to end," associate head coach Trey Morris said afterwards. "Their guys brought it. They're a good team and they're a program we've battled with for quite a few years to say the least. It's developed into a big rivalry so this one is special for our guys, the alumni, and for everyone else in the Jacksonville State community. Very happy about that. 
 
"First win over these guys in nine years, so it means a lot for the program," Morris added. "It shows the hard work that coach Mike Mucci has put in in his time and tenure here and also represents the direction of the program going forward. We're really excited about this group. We've constantly talked about the fact that they're going to get better as the season goes on, and we're starting to show some of that quality."
 
A hot start led to a relatively easy doubles point for Jax State (11-9, 3-3). Kennesaw State (10-7, 3-3)'s no. 2 doubles pair fell to Konstantin Benneman and Alin Fatu, 6-4, and Lucius Soller and Dobrnjac secured the opening point with a thrilling victory, 7-6 (7-4), on court one. Though they didn't finish the third flight, Logan Haga and Xavier Sarda Marti also held a 5-4 advantage. 
 
The Gamecocks were similarly sound in singles play during Sunday's triumph. After a tough loss on court one, Vicente Arbelaez powered to a 6-4, 6-4, win in the no. 6 singles flight to put Jacksonville State back on top. The Owls rallied to tie it again, but the home squad ripped off three consecutive singles wins to earn the triumph. Lucius Soller (6-4, 4-6, 6-3) survived a thrilling three-setter to put Jax State on the brink of a victory before Dobrnjac came through with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, result on court four to clinch the match. Freshman Matei Palcau came out on the right side of a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), decision in the final flight to close out a successful day at the JSU Tennis Courts. 
 
Dobrnjac's singles triumph marks his team-best 14^th win of 2023. Furthermore, Dobrnjac and Soller posted their eighth doubles victories this Spring. 
 
Jacksonville State's men head to Florence, Ala., on Thursday afternoon for a 2 p.m. showdown with in-state foe North Alabama. After that short road trip, the Gamecocks return to Calhoun County on Saturday morning to take on Austin Peay at 10 a.m. The women's match against the Governors will take place afterwards, with first serve slated for 1 p.m. 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 KSU
4/2/2023 in Jacksonville, Ala.
JSU 5, KSU 2
 
Singles Competition
 

1. Raul Garcia (KSU) def. Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) 6-0, 6-1
2. Harvey Conway (KSU) def. Alin Fatu (JSU) 7-5, 6-4
3. Matei Palcau (JSU) def. Hugo Salmeron (KSU) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Vanja Dobrnjac (JSU) def. Seru Tezuka (KSU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
5. Lucius Soller (JSU) def. Anthony Weingarten (KSU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
6. Vicente Arbelaez (JSU) def. David Leon (KSU) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles Competition
 

1. Vanja Dobrnjac/Lucius Soller (JSU) def. Raul Garcia/Hugo Salmeron (KSU) 7-6 (8-6)
2. Konstantin Benneman/Alin Fatu (JSU) def. Harvey Conway/Seru Tezuka (KSU) 6-4
3. Logan Haga/Xavier Sarda Marti (JSU) vs. Kevin Patel/Anthony Weingarten (KSU) 5-4, unfinished