Towson, Md. - The Georgia State men's tennis team (13-5, 3-0 CAA) had to rally after losing the doubles point but came back to defeat James Madison (13-8, 3-5 CAA), 4-3, on Sunday morning. The Panthers extended their winning streak to six straight after finishing the CAA Round Up 3-0 with just three non-conference matches left in the season.
Georgia State lost two of the three doubles matches to drop the doubles point. The team of Calvin Kemp/Juan Pablo Gutierrez did earn a victory at No. 3 doubles with a 8-7 over Greg Vladimirsky/Stephen Hardy. The Panthers were put in an early hole and before this match were 0-5 when losing the doubles point.
The Panthers started its rally when junior Juan Pablo Gutierrez won in straight sets at No. 4 singles, 6-0, 6-0 over Yaroslav Voznenko. Gutierrez has won five straight matches and improved his record to 9-3 overall.
Senior Henri Mangin continued his solid play today with a straight sets victory at No. 5 singles over Matt King, 6-1, 6-0. Mangin has also won six straight matches and holds a 13-3 overall record. Mangin has a perfect record of 11-0 when he plays at No. 5 singles.
Freshman Victor Valente improved to 13-5 overall with a straight sets victory at No. 2 singles, defeating Greg Vladimirsky, 6-4, 6-1. Valente holds a 7-2 mark at No. 2 singles and has extended his winning streak to five straight with the victory.
James Madison responded by winning matches at No. 1 and No. 3 singles when Jackson Moore lost in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6. Sophomore Calvin Kemp lost a three set match at No. 3 singles, dropping the last two sets, 6-3, 6-1. The Dukes evened the match at 3-3 with those victories and the match came down to No. 6 singles.
Freshman Lucas Santana had to wait until a court was cleared because there were only five courts, setting up the drama at No. 6 singles. Santana wasted no time and won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2 to clinch the sixth-straight victory for the Panthers. The win marks the first time this season that Georgia State has come from behind after losing the doubles point.
"It was a very tough match and It felt great to clinch the win for the team, and we look forward to playing well in the conference tournament coming up," said Lucas Santana.
"This is a big CAA win for us over a very good JMU team. After dropping the doubles point, the guys really responded with great singles play. We've won 6 in a row now which is impressive. Most importantly, the team is not satisfied." "I was especially impressed with the play of Gutierrez. He is really starting to play well for us," said head coach Chase Hodges.
Georgia State heads home returning to action on Wednesday March 31st against Georgia Perimeter at 2:30 p.m. in Decatur, Ga.
Georgia State (13-5, 3-0 CAA) defeats James Madison (13-8, 3-5 CAA), 4-3
Doubles
1-Mike Smith/Matt King (JMU) def. Jackson Moore/Trenton Spinks (GSU), 8-6
2-Yaroslav Voznenko/Ville Maaranen (JMU) def. Henri Mangin/Victor Valente (GSU), 8-6
3-Calvin Kemp/Juan Pablo Gutierrez (GSU) def. Greg Vladimirsky/Stephen Hardy (JMU), 8-7
Order of finish (1,2,3)
Singles
1-Mike Smith (JMU) def. Jackson Moore (GSU), 6-4,7-6
2-Victor Valente (GSU) def. Greg Vladimirsky (JMU), 6-4,6-1
3-Tommi Nissinen (JMU) def. Calvin Kemp (GSU), 5-7,6-3,6-1
4-Juan Pablo Gutierrez (GSU) def. Yaroslav Voznenko (JMU), 6-0,6-0
5-Henri Mangin (GSU) def. Matt King (JMU), 6-1,6-0
6-Lucas Santana (GSU) def. Jovan Milic (JMU), 6-0,6-2
Order of finish (4,5,2,1,3,6)
