Daytona Beach, Fla. (April 3, 2026) – In a match that spanned over two days due to rainy conditions, #8 Rollins prevailed over #7 Embry-Riddle for an epic road victory. The thrilling 4-3 win supplies the third win over a top ten team for the Tars, matching a program best in that category across the last decade. But the story today was the singles comeback on court 3.
 
Embry-Riddle grabbed the doubles point courtesy of a sweep across all three lines. Despite the skewed result favoring the Eagles, Lawson Prather and partner Nico de Giacomo were able to push court three into a tiebreaker. The match extender pushed back the start of singles action, which would prove to be a difference maker when rain rolled in off the coast.
 
All courts of mano a mano action had played just a few games prior to the wet conditions. The playing surface was deemed unplayable, issuing the Tars a fresh start.
 
Pete Tran did not need the reset, building an early lead before action was delayed by a day. But the sophomore did not let the postponement rain on his parade. The local product drew up a 6-3, 6-1 performance, picking up the other half of his doubles tandem. Richard Stoiberer had played tough, but just couldn't string together enough games on court four. Tran's convincing performance brought the Tars back to within one point, a deficit that Fabian Gusic would soon erase in dramatic fashion.
 
Gusic paced ahead in set number one. The senior cruised, going 6-1 and turning the page from a doubles loss a day prior. The second set provided an opportunity, not only to bring the match all square, but to set the tone for things to come. Gusic did not hesitate to seize the moment. With things knotted at six, Gusic and counterpart Manuel Lanteri played into a tiebreaker on court two. In a race to seven points, it was the man owning the Anchor R who ran out ahead. Gusic's 7-3 result sealed the match and positioned both teams at a deadlock.
 
Embry-Riddle nabbed the lead back from the top court. Lawson Prather showed incredible resolve, beginning today's portion of the match down 0-3 in set one. The freshman found his way out of it but just couldn't get over the hump for another triumph in sets two or three.
 
That left Mo Anterist and Nico de Giacomo with their backs against the wall, each needing the decision to go their way in a third set. Anterist did not make the visiting fans sweat at all. His 6-0 sweep was a foil to the trend of the match. Each player had traded 7-5 scores, before the sophomore found an extra gear and put it away from court five.
 
That turned all eyes to Nico de Giacomo, and he sure gave the audience quite the show. The captain jumped out to an early advantage thanks to a dominant 6-1 opener. In the following set Embry-Riddle's Joshua Nuyts delivered a blow right back, sending things to a winner take all third.
 
At 5-2, all hope to pick up a massive road win against the nation's seventh ranked Eagles seemed lost. Good thing nobody told Nico! Dramatically, the junior clawed back, boosting the excitement with every game winner. Finally, drawing the set even at five ensured the Austrian at least two more games – and that's all Nico would need. Grabbing a 6-5 advantage, the steady lefty put himself, and the team, in prime position for the win.  
 
On match point, sending his first serve wide, de Giacomo composed himself on the second attempt. Embry-Riddle's Nuyts issued a return, but was not able to counter a second time following de Giacomo's backhand, firing one long.
 
Upon the match clinch, emotion poured out, both from the hero himself and his teammates. Anterist was the first to arrive before the remainder of the squad huddled, mobbing the man himself.
 
"And that's why we love Nico," expressed Coach Jay Friedman after the match. A simple statement for a statement win.
 
The eighth ranked Tars will have quite the layoff before they are back in action. The next match will take place at the friendly confines of the Tennis & Golf Center on Monday, April 13^th against Lynn University. Match play will begin at 3pm. Catch the latest on that SSC match, and coverage all season long, at Rollinssports.com.