by Matt Dalby, sports information graduate assistant
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The No. 15 Georgia College men's tennis team grabbed an early 2-1 lead after doubles action, but was unable to hold on as they lost to #12 Flagler College by a score of 5-4 at the Centennial Center Tennis Facility Saturday afternoon.
The Bobcats started off hot, with the No. 1 tandem of Jerome Leborgne (Coordimanche, France) and Johan Wadstein (Helsingborg, Sweden) rallying to defeat Gino Ramirez and Joe Martinez 9-8, before Wictor Andersson (Karlkoga, Sweden) and Leo Bernardes (Sao Paulo, Brazil) defeated Skyler Engel and Stephan Stolz by the same score at the No. 3 slot.
Unfortunately, the No. 2 duo of Tyler Franks (Greensboro, Ga.) and Kasper Konyves (Helsingborg, Sweden) were unable to put away Peter Coulis and Uriel Oquendo despite having several match point opportunities, eventually falling 9-7.
Bobcat newcomer Alex Schubert (Frankfurt, Germany) picked up a win at the No. 4 singles slot, defeating Inigo Landaluce in straight-sets 6-3, 7-5.
Andersson would also go on to win his singles match at the No. 6 spot 6-2, 6-4 over Flagler's Stolz.
Flagler rebounded well by winning at the No. 1, 2 and 3 slots. Coulis defeated Leborgne 7-6, 6-4 in No.1 singles while Martinez managed to take down Wadstein 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 2.
Bernardes would falter against Ramirez at the No. 3 position 7-5, 7-5. His doubles teammate, Tyler Franks, would also drop his match 6-4, 6-0 in the No. 5 slot.
The GC men will look to rebound when they head to Young Harris for a non-conference match Wednesday, Feb. 29 at 3 p.m.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.
