FGCU MTEN vs Georgia Southern Recap

After struggling on the road, the FGCU men's tennis team prepared for their first win of the season and the home opening matchup against Georgia Southern. With the win, FGCU is now 4-2 overall against Georgia Southern.

In front of over 200 fans that showed up to the match as the Battle of the Eagles (literally), FGCU (1-4) beat Georgia Southern (0-5) 7-0.

“Today was a great day for us,” said head coach CJ Weber. “We implemented the exact attitude we are looking to exude throughout the entire season. Our crowd was absolutely incredible tonight. I want to thank all our fans for these moments that make it so special to be here at FGCU, for the players and myself. We’re looking forward to our next challenge against FAU.”

As usual, doubles began first as the duos of senior Oliver Landert and sophomore Felipe Ramirez and juniors Javier Fernandez and Mateo Ruiz took the doubles point for FGCU. Landert and Ramirez won 6-2 against seniors Artemie Amari and Eddie Landin, while Fernandez and Ruiz defeated sophomore Stefano Di Aloy and freshman Pascal Wagemaker 6-4.

The duo of junior Felipe Escobar and senior Austin Bates fell to sophomores Diego Finkelstein and Murphy McCullough by a score of 3-6. Escobar was making his season debut after transferring from Texas Christian University (TCU), the same university that former tennis player, Andres "Andy" Alfonzo, transferred from.

Going into singles, FGCU had no problem with GSU as Bates finished first winning 6-0, 6-3 against freshman Carlos Garcia.

Landert would follow with a 6-1 pair win against Landin before Fernandez secured the overall win with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Wagemaker.

FGCU and Georgia Southern finished the rest of their matches as Ramirez beat Di Aloy 6-2, 4-6, 10-6.

Ruiz followed with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-0 win over McCullough before Escobar sealed the final match with a 7-6, 7-5 win. Escobar's match was his official singles debut at FGCU.

It was a really good crowd and I was amazed. Other athletes including the whole FGCU women's tennis team, juniors Linda Shaw and Toni Baerens from the swim team, freshman Hope Van Wagner from the women's soccer team, senior Caleb George and redshirt junior Dennis Zapata from the men's soccer team, freshman Cortney VanLiew, Snowy Burnam Kayla Whetstone and junior Maggie Rick from the indoor and beach volleyball team, sophomore Jan Figueroa and senior Leonel Delacruz from the men's cross country team and sophomore Ciara Frame from the women's cross country team were in attendance for the matches to support the men's tennis team.

It was an amazing feeling that so many people showed up for the home opener. I was surprised.

Up next, the Eagles go back on the road as they face FAU on Saturday, February 10 at 3 p.m.

Below is a photo of me with the whole men's tennis team:

From left to right: Coach  C.J. Weber, student manager Danny Miller, Nico Tibaudin, Juan Montes, Felipe Ramirez, Marcelo Thabet, Ezequiel Cerrini, Austin Bates, Javier Fernandez, Mateo Ruiz, Felipe Escobar, Oliver Landert and assitant coach Lucas Vaz