Box Score DELAND, Fla. - In a battle of teams tied for 75th in the latest ITA Rankings, Stetson rose to the top on Thursday afternoon in a 6-1 win over North Florida in Atlantic Sun Conference men's tennis action.

The Hatters (8-3, 3-0 A-Sun) took control early and never let up in handing the Ospreys (7-4, 3-1 A-Sun) their most lopsided defeat of the season. The win was the first for Stetson over the Ospreys in three tries since UNF moved to Division I in 2006.

"This was a very disappointing loss," UNF head coach Igal Buberman said. "There were several things at stake in this match, and we knew it would be tough. I have to give credit to (Stetson coach Pierre Pilote), because they play the match strategically sound and utilized their talent better than we did today. We will take tonight and tomorrow to relax and reflect on this loss and refocus on the rest of the season. This is just one more setback for the team, but we are still committed to our goal. We will be ready for our next match on Saturday."

UNF's only singles victory came at the No. 6 position, where Adrian Escarate knocked off Christopher Swanteso 6-4, 6-3. The Hatters won the other five singles matchups in straight sets, including a 6-4, 6-2 victory by Marcus Echtler over UNF's Eduardo Pereira at the No. 1 spot. The loss snapped an 11-match winning streak for Pereira this season and was his first defeat in dual play.

Pereira and teammate Kurt Gattiker did keep their winning streak alive in doubles, where they took an 8- 6 victory at the No. 2 position over Stetson's Serguei Boulanov and Gokay Celik. Pereira and Gattiker have won seven straight matches. Stetson captured the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches, however, to secure the doubles point in the match.

UNF returns to action on Saturday afternoon in Fort Myers when it takes on A-Sun newcomer Florida Gulf Coast. Match time is set for 11 a.m.

#75 Stetson 6, #75 North Florida 1

Singles competition
1. Marcus Echtler (STET) def. Eduardo Pereira (UNF) 6-4, 6-2
2. Hicham Laalej (STET) def. Javier Ferrin (UNF) 6-0, 6-4
3. Joey Jones (STET) def. Yuiti Lopes (UNF) 6-2, 6- 3
4. Filip Kricka (STET) def. Graham Edgar (UNF) 6-1, 6- 3
5. Serguei Boulanov (STET) def. Kurt Gattiker (UNF) 7- 5, 6-2
6. Adrian Escarate (UNF) def. Christopher Swanteso (STET) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Marcus Echtler/Filip Kricka (STET) def. Yuiti Lopes/Alejandro Argumedo (UNF) 8-4
2. Eduardo Pereira/Kurt Gattiker (UNF) def. Serguei Boulanov/Gokay Celik (STET) 8-6
3. Joey Jones/Hicham Laalej (STET) def. Javier Ferrin/Adrian Escarate (UNF) 8-4

Match Notes:
North Florida 7-4, 3-1 A-Sun; National ranking #75
Stetson 8-3, 3-0 A-Sun; National ranking #75