MACON, Ga. – The Georgia College Men's Tennis team began their second tournament of the fall season Friday, taking on top players from Division I, Division II, the NAIA and Junior College players at the Mercer Gridiron Classic.
The Bobcats have two singles players and all three doubles teams left remaining after day one.
Newcomer Karol Malirz (Marbella, Spain) advanced past Lucas Wayenburg of Division I Mercer University in a three-set battle 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. Malirz will now face No. 1-seed Carles Sarrio of Division I Florida Atlantic University in the quarterfinals of Singles Flight A1.
In Singles Flight A2, Gabriel Cizek (Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic) fell to Chris Andre of Division I Alabama State University 7-6[2], 6-2.
The Bobcats' Flight B2 entry Jesus Villamizar Abia (Valencia, Venezuela) was edged in three by Juan Rodriguez of Alabama State 6-4, 5-7, 6-1.
Singles Flight C1 brought the collegiate debut of Thomas Brewer (Macon) a 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 loss to Ignacio Orgaz of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Jorge Robinson (Entre Rios, Argentina) also dropped a three-setter, 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 to Takafumi Mimata of Division I Kennesaw State University.
In Singles Flight C2, No. 2-seed Sebastian Nunez (Buford) advanced to the quarterfinals with a bye and will take on Erick Cruz of Point University in the next round.
Doubles was divided into three flights. In Flight A, Cizek and Malirz won a 6-4 battle over Pol Del Castillo and Alexandros Roumpis of Division I Georgia Southern University. Up next for the Bobcat duo is No. 4-seed Kevin Patel and Seru Tezuka of Kennesaw State.
In Flight B, Brewer and Nunez teamed for a 6-2 win over Matthew Gedney and Luke Stuart of ABAC. In the quarterfinals, the Bobcat pair will take on Cole Brainard and Ryan Gaskin of the University of North Georgia.
GC's Flight C entry was Robinson and Villamizar Abia, picking up a 6-3 win over Dakotah Fuller and Santiago Speranza of Point. The next round brings a showdown with No. 2-seed Takafumi Mimata and Jack Lee of Kennesaw State.
Day two action begins tomorrow, Oct. 2 in Macon.
The proud recipients of the 2021 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GC Athletics is now two-time winners of both the PBC Commissioner's Cup and the league's sportsmanship honor. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in post-season competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics holds to the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life". Sign up at @GCBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports.
