JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After dropping a doubles point that could have gone either way, North Florida men's tennis responded with ferocity, winning five of six singles courts on the way to a pivotal 5-2 win against a strong FGCU (10-6, 3-1 ASUN) team Sunday, March 27.
The Ospreys rallied in front of a great showing at the UNF Tennis Complex, with
Nilo Duarte clinching the win at the second slot to give North Florida an 8-1 mark at home as well as its first victory against FGCU since the 2018 campaign.
North Florida (11-6, 2-1 ASUN) is just percentage points out of second place in the ASUN Conference with four more league matches remaining this month.
How it Happened
The doubles point reflected vintage UNF vs. FGCU play as every court was tight late into each respective set. All three courts finished at 7-5, with FGCU bookending the trio of slots with wins at the first and third position.
UNF regrouped and didn't look back after claiming the momentum early. North Florida won the first set in four of the six courts, with
Rodrigo Crespo emerging for a dominant 6-2, 6-4 win at the fifth position. Crespo got back in the win column to tie things up and
PJ Kotan responded with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory to provide North Florida with the lead for good.
After taking the first set, 6-4,
Bruno Vietri found himself in a 4-5 hole in the second frame at court six. The lefty wasn't fazed, winning three-straight games to give UNF a 3-1 lead as well as a huge push of momentum.
With FGCU on its heels, the Eagles managed to push courts one, two and three to three frames.
Nilo Duarte was there to stop any last hopes for the visitors as he clinched the match behind a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win.
Matt Carroll came up short in the third frame but
Jonas Hartenstein added to his win total with an impressive 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory against Magnus Johnson.
UNF 5, FGCU 2
Sunday, March 27 | UNF Tennis Complex | Jacksonville, Fla.
Singles Competition
1.
Jonas Hartenstein (UNF) def. JOHNSON, Magnus (FGCU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
2.
Nilo Duarte (UNF) def. SEPULVEDA, Marcelo (FGCU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
3. WILSON, Randy (FGCU) def.
Matt Carroll (UNF) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
4.
PJ Kotan (UNF) def. STEFANACCI, Gugli (FGCU) 6-2, 6-2
5.
Rodrigo Crespo (UNF) def. DAMM, Max (FGCU) 6-2, 6-4
6.
Bruno Vietri (UNF) def. ONCINS, Eric (FGCU) 6-4, 7-5
Doubles Competition
1. JOHNSON, Magnus/DAMM, Max (FGCU) def.
Jorge Nunez/
Jonas Hartenstein (UNF) 7-5
2.
Matt Carroll/
Nilo Duarte (UNF) def. ONCINS, Eric/WILSON, Randy (FGCU) 7-5
3. SEPULVEDA, Marcelo/STEFANACCI, Gugli (FGCU) def.
Rodrigo Crespo/
Dominik Barton (UNF) 7-5
Match Notes
FGCU 10-6, 3-1 ASUN
North Florida 11-6, 2-1 ASUN
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (5,4,6,2,3,1)
T-4:10 A-209
Other Notes
- UNF improves to 8-1 at home on the year.
- North Florida is 12-9 all-time against FGCU and 7-2 at home.
- The Ospreys picked up their first win against FGCU since March 2, 2018.
- Hartenstein earned his 10th singles win at the top slot and 15th victory for the 2021-22 year.
- Duarte is 6-2 at the second singles slot.
Coach Lucas' Comments
Up Next
UNF goes on the road for a match with Jacksonville State April 1.
