ORLANDO, Fla. (April 2, 2025) - Men's tennis picked up their third straight victory on Wednesday, taking down conference foe Eckerd 5-2 at the USTA National Campus. With the win, the Tars improve to 11-6 overall and 4-1 in the SSC. Eckerd falls to 9-6.
The Tritons struck first, winning two of three doubles matches to earn the initial point. On three, Eric Asakura/Lukas Palla moved past
Pietro Cappellaro/
Phillip McMurray by a 6-1 final. The Tars equalized with a win on two courtesy of
Luke Quaynor/
Richard Stoiberer, who won 6-3. On court one, it was a tough battle between Batu Ataseven/Mario Kirkov and
Mo Anterist/
Fabian Gusic. Using an extra set, the Tritons came out on top, 7-5.
Rollins flipped the script in singles play, taking five of six courts to earn the overall win. Quaynor was the first to finish, dispatching Ataseven 6-2, 6-1 on the featured court. Anterist followed with a 6-1, 6-3 effort on four versus Marshall Hulett. Eckerd then equalized with a win on five as Adrian Gheorge ousted Cappellaro 6-1, 6-4.
Gusic and Kirkov battled on court two, but the German freshman came out on top with a 6-2, 6-2 win. Stoiberer then wrapped up the match for Rollins with his 6-3, 6-4 win on three against Asaskura. Even though the match was in hand for Rollins, they continued play on six. Grad student
Phillip McMurray showed his grit, earning a hard-fought 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 triumph against Lukas Palla.
"That was a tough Eckerd team today," remarked head coach
Jay Friedman. "I'm very proud of the guys in the lineup today for stepping up and getting it down after dropping a very close doubles point. Not our usual, but we will take it and keep focused on the finish ahead."
The win serves as a confidence boost for the Tars before their next match at #2 Barry on Monday. The Tars and Bucs were initially slated to play last Sunday, March 30, but weather postponed the action. First serve is scheduled for 2:30 pm from Miami Shores on April 7.
