The Georgia Gwinnett College men's tennis team showed no rust from a nearly three-week break in the schedule, registering a 9-0 victory against NCAA Division II University of North Georgia Thursday afternoon at the GGC Tennis Facility -- the program's 77th consecutive match win, the longest streak in collegiate athletics.

GGC (22-0), the top-ranked team in the NAIA, won all six singles matches in straight sets in the commanding victory.

Leading 3-0 after doubles, sophomore Federico Herrera Duran secured the first singles point with a 6-2, 6-1 victory on the No. 3 court. He teamed with senior Gilad Berman for an 8-2 triumph at the top of the doubles lineup.

"It was a beautiful day with perfect tennis conditions. Gilad served really strong and I took care of things around the net. We were coming off a lengthy break (first match since March 24), and it was an important time to get our bodies healthy and practice," said Herrera Duran.

Sophomore Sergio Valinotti clinched the victory for the Grizzlies with a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles.

Freshman Valentino Caratini won 12 of 15 games on the No. 4 court. Earlier in the match, he picked up an 8-4 victory at No. 2 doubles with junior Ayed Zatar. Zatar was a 6-1, 6-2 winner at No. 2 singles.

Meanwhile, sophomore Mika Kosonen recorded a 6-3, 6-1 victory on the No. 5 court before senior Gilad Bermanrounded out the singles winners with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph on the No. 1 court.

"This team is always positive and supportive of each other," said Caratini. "I spent a lot of time (during the schedule break) working on my backhand. I have been practicing since I was four years old. It has taken a lot of work, but I can the positive results each time I'm on the court."

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host a pair of matches Sunday, April 15, when it faces Washington & Lee University (Va.) at 9 a.m. and Reinhardt University (Ga.) at 3 p.m. from the GGC Tennis Facility.