BOCA RATON, Fla. – The eighth-ranked Lynn University's men's tennis team bounced back after a 3-0 deficit in doubles play on Sunday against fifth-ranked Valdosta State. With the match tied 4-4, the Blazers prevailed at No. 6 singles in three sets to issue the Fighting Knights their first defeat of the season.
INSIDE THE MATHCUP:
Final: #5 Valdosta State 5, #8 Lynn 4
Records: #5 Valdosta State (1-0), #8 Lynn (1-1)
Location: Perper Tennis Complex | Boca Raton, Fla.
All-time Series: Series tied 8-8
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Fighting Knights got off to a slow start, dropping all three doubles contests with the closest at 8-4.
- Jean-Baptiste Mateo kick started the comeback with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles over 20th-ranked and former Fighting Knight Fernando Rivas.
- Mehdi Laalej kept the momentum going at the top spot with a huge straight-set victory over the third-ranked player in the nation, Leo Blay.
- Kay Bartmann knotted the match at 3-3 with a three-set victory at the third flight.
- The teams split the No. 4 and No. 5 matchups, with Tristan Houle garnering a win for the Blue and White.
- The match came down to a three-set battle at No. 6 singles with VSU's Davis Stewart winning 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Valdosta has now defeated Lynn two years in a row after Lynn had won every matchup between 2011 and 2016.
UP NEXT:
The Fighting Knights remain home this week for a 5 p.m. matchup vs. Ave Maria on Feb. 8.
