The Georgia Southwestern State University tennis teams completed season sweeps of Fort Valley State recently with road victories and resumed Peach Belt Conference play with a trip to Flagler College on Saturday. The nationally-ranked Saints beat GSW, 9-0, in both matches. Monday brought a trip to Waleska, Georgia, for a non-conference match against Reinhardt University. The GSW women lost 6-3, while the men were shutout, 9-0.
The women's team stands at 7-11 overall, 0-5 in the PBC this spring. The Lady Hurricanes seven wins is the most posted by the program in five years. The GSW men's team exits Monday's match with a 4-10 overall record and a 0-5 mark in PBC action.
Up Next: GSW gets back to conference play this weekend by hosting USC Aiken on Saturday at noon and Francis Marion University on Sunday at 11 a.m.
GSW MEN 9, FORT VALLEY STATE 0
The Hurricanes dropped a total of three games at Fort Valley State. Combined match scores in doubles favored GSW, 24-1, and five of the six singles matches were shutouts by GSW, 6-0, 6-0.
FVSU dropped to 1-6 this spring.
GSW WOMEN 8, FORT VALLEY STATE 1
Anneliese Leahy turned in a perfect afternoon. The senior from Augusta, Georgia did not lose a game all day as she teamed with Ashley Denby at No. 2 doubles for an 8-0 win before defeating Cori Griffith, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles. Celia del Castillo and Maria Taboada were victorious in both doubles and singles play, as well.
FVSU fell to 3-6 this spring.
GSW MEN 0, #7 FLAGLER COLLEGE 9
Justin Ralson had the closest match score in singles, falling 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 at No. 6. Alex Canovas Ferrando played a close opening set at No. 1 singles, losing 6-4, before 19th-ranked Luca Bolla won the second set, 6-0.
Flagler, ranked No. 7 in the latest Oracle/ITA NCAA Division II rankings and No. 3 in the Southeast Region, improved its record to 15-5 overall, 4-2 in the PBC.
GSW WOMEN 0, #32 FLAGLER COLLEGE 9
Leahy had the closest match score in singles, falling 6-3, 7-5 at No. 4. Taboada lost 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 against 60th-ranked Felicitas Runkel.
Flagler, ranked No. 32 in the latest Oracle/ITA NCAA Division II rankings and No. 2 in the Southeast Region, improved its record to 8-7 overall, 5-1 in the PBC.
GSW MEN 0, REINHARDT 9
Canovas Ferrando and Steven Blythe had the closest match score in doubles, falling 9-7 at No. 1. Blythe played the closest singles match as well, losing 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 in the No. 1 position. Ralston (No. 4) and Luke Eafano (No. 6) came up short on a comeback in the second set of both of their matches, dropping the set 6-4.
Reinhardt improved its record to 9-2.
GSW WOMEN 3, REINHARDT 6
Taboada turned in an undefeated day as she played a role in two of GSW's three team points against the Eagles. The junior from San Lorenzo del Escorial, Spain, teamed with del Castillo at No. 1 doubles for an 8-2 win before earning a 6-1, 6-3 victory at No. 2 singles. Charli Allen picked up the other win the for the Lady Hurricanes, a 6-0, 6-0 decision at No. 3 singles.
Reinhardt improved its record to 8-5.