Men's Tennis 4/20/2018 2:57:00 PM

VSU Eliminates Tigers from GSC Men’s Tennis Tourney

MONTGOMERY – After getting swept in the doubles competition, Valdosta State stormed back to post a 5-3 men's tennis win over West Alabama Friday at the 2018 Gulf South Conference Tennis Championships at Lagoon Park.

Ranked No. 11 in the nation, Valdosta State improved its record to 17-3. The loss eliminated the Tigers from the tournament and dropped No. 34 UWA to 16-5. Whether UWA's season continues is in the hands of the NCAA regional committee.

"This match was a battle against a great team. I am proud of this group, the ones that are seniors and were a part of making us what we now are," UWA head coach Jeff Beaman said. "The returners need to remember how much this match hurts, work hard and keep moving to the next level."

Julius Kaverinen and Linus Holthey defeated Jordi Mas and Florian Simbozel, 8-4, at No. 1 doubles. Andrii Stratiienko and Henrik Sinkko beat Fernando Rivas and Franco Yim Kim, 8-6, at No. 2, while Anton Lof and Erik Nordblom downed Axel Holm and Davis Stewart, 8-3 at No. 3 doubles.

Backs to the wall, the Blazers battled back to win every singles match that finished. The match on the No. 5 singles court was still in progress when Stewart beat Sinkko 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 at No. 6 to clinch the match.

The Blazers will face West Florida in the championship match Saturday at 11 a.m. at Lagoon Park.

SINGLES COMPETITION
1. Jordi Mas (VSU) defeats Julius Kaverinen (UWA) 6-2, 6-3
2. Florian Simbozel (VSU) defeats Linus Holthey (UWA) 6-2, 6-4
3. Fernando Rivas (VSU) defeats Erik Nordblom (UWA) 6-1, 6-3
4. Franco Yim Kim (VSU) defeats Andrii Stratiienko (UWA) 6-3, 6-3
5. Xavier Pineda (VSU) defeats Honorio Fernandez (UWA) Unfinished
6. Stewart Davis (VSU) defeats Henrik Sinkko (UWA) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

DOUBLES COMPETITION
1. Julius Kaverinen/Linus Holthey (UWA) defeat Jordi Mas/Florian Simbozel (VSU) 8-4
2. Andrii Stratiienko/Henrik Sinkko (UWA) defeat Fernando Rivas/Franco Yim Kim (VSU) 8-6
3. Anton Lof/Erick Nordblom (UWA) defeat Axel Holm/Davis Stewart (VSU) 8-3

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Players Mentioned

Henrik Sinkko: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Honorio Fernandez: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Julius Kaverinen: 5' 9"; Junior

Anton Lof: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Andrii Stratiienko: 5' 10"; Senior

Linus Holthey: 6' 3"; Junior

Erik Nordblom: 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Henrik Sinkko
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Honorio Fernandez
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Julius Kaverinen
: 5' 9"; Junior

Anton Lof
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Andrii Stratiienko
: 5' 10"; Senior

Linus Holthey
: 6' 3"; Junior

Erik Nordblom
: 6' 3"; Freshman