The Georgia Gwinnett men's and women's tennis programs continued their quest for the NAIA National Championship Saturday as both squads defeated Middle Georgia State in head-to-head action in day two of the Green and Gray Invitational.
The top-ranked men's squad remained perfect, improving to 7-0 on the year with a 5-0 victory over the Knights. Doubles play set the tone for the Grizzlies as they posted a 3-0 lead at the break. The duos of Kevin Konfederark & Jordan Cox (8-1), Matias Hatem & Connor Clements (8-3), and Luke Morland & Lachlan McPhee (8-4) all contributed victories in the pro-set format.
GGC's Gilad Berman picked up the fourth victory of the afternoon over Alvaro Conesa (6-0, 6-0) at the number four singles slot while senior Matias Hatem clinched the match with a sweep of Octavio Tamola (6-0, 6-0) at the number three singles spot.
On the women's side of the court, the Grizzlies captured a 6-1 victory. Georgia Gwinnett went into the break with a 2-1 lead after doubles play. Valeria Podda and Sophie Feller swept MGSU's Preeti Gokhale and Nathalie Wenko in their 8-0 win while Alyona Vasileva and Chiara Di Salvo picked up the 9-8 victory over Anastasiia Vasileva and Lara Persiani at the number two doubles spot.
It took just three singles matches to capture the victory for GGC over Middle Georgia. Junior Judith van Fraaijenhoven clinched the match for the Grizzlies at the number six singles spot, defeating MGSU's Daniela Nino Duarte.
The Lady Knights picked up their lone victory of the match at number three doubles as Yannick Garcia and Shelby Ashley defeated GGC's Luma Schwab and Victoria Svensson 8-6.
"We posted two nice team wins over a solid Middle Georgia program," stated GGC head coach Chase Hodges. "I was very impressed with our singles play in both matches. We are excited to face a tough and ranked Xavier squad tomorrow as they too have a solid program."
The No. 1 GGC men's team faces fourth-ranked Xavier while the No. 2 women's squad faces the 14th-ranked Xavier women's team tomorrow afternoon. The head-to-head match previously scheduled against Pikeville (Ky.) for 9:00 a.m. has been cancelled due to a weather-delayed Green and Gray Invitational schedule on Saturday. First serve from the GGC Tennis Facility (100 Countryside Place, Lawrenceville) between the Grizzlies and Xavier is set for 1:00 p.m. Admission to all matches is free.
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