March 25, 2014

GGC 7, Middlebury 2

The third-ranked Georgia Gwinnett men’s tennis team took down NCAA Division III No. 10 Middlebury (Vt.) on Tuesday by a 7-2 score in a battle of unbeatens at the GGC Tennis Facility.

The Grizzlies improved to 13-0 on the season, while the Panthers fell to 5-1.

Georgia Gwinnett earned a slim 2-1 advantage in doubles play and took the top three singles matches in straight sets to clinch the win.

The Grizzlies also won three-set matches at fourth and sixth singles. GGC now stands at 5-0 in Lawrenceville.

“We played very well today against a strong opponent,” said Grizzlies head coach Chase Hodges. “We won some close matches, which is always a good sign. We are 13-0 and feeling good at the moment.”

Luke Morland and Nathan de Veer were tripped at first doubles in a tight 8-6 decision, but Bruno Tiberti/Erik Moberg and Matias Hatem/Connor Clements took 8-5 and 8-1 victories, respectively, to push GGC in front.

In singles play, Hatem raced to a 6-2, 6-0 win on the top line to improve to 11-0 on the year. Tiberti followed with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at number two and Moberg was able to grind out a 7-6, 7-6 win at third singles.

In the fifth three-set battle of the year for Clements, the GGC freshman rallied from a set down for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 fourth singles win.

Tony Kostadinov also moved to 11-0 with a comeback 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 win of his own at sixth singles.

The Grizzlies take on their third top-10 Div. III team of the year in their next match when they visit No. 7 Emory in Atlanta April 3.