A thrilling three-set victory by freshman
Jose Dugo at No. 5 singles completed a come-from-behind 5-4 victory Saturday for the Georgia Gwinnett College men's tennis team at NCAA Division III Emory University (Ga.). The victory extends the Grizzlies' winning streak to 85 consecutive matches.
Dugo got a break of serve early in the deciding third set of the match. The freshman eventually pushed the lead to 4-1 before Emory's James Spaulding won two straight games to get within 4-3. However, Dugo was able to hold his serve two consecutive times to eventually capture the 6-4 set victory. Spaulding won the opening set 6-3 before Dugo rebounded in a second-set tiebreaker 8-6 to force the final deciding set.
Dugo got the winning point when a return of serve sailed wide.
"The environment in the match was amazing. I played really well in the third set. The support I got from my teammates helped pull out this match," said Dugo.
GGC (3-0) fell behind 2-1 in the match following doubles play. The hosts nearly swept all three doubles points, but sophomore
Federico Bonacia and junior
Gregor Hutterer saved three match points to win on the No. 3 court in a tiebreaker, 7-4.
Emory took a 3-1 lead after a straight-set triumph at No. 1 singles.
The Grizzlies' comeback commenced with a 6-3, 6-4 victory by senior
Rafael Coutinho at No. 4 singles. A three-set win from junior
Federico Herrera Duran on the No. 2 court tied the match, 3-3.
A hard-fought 7-6 (4), 7-5 win at No. 3 singles from Bonacia gave GGC a 4-3 advantage. However, Emory squared the match, 4-4, with a victory at No. 6 singles.
Coach's Corner
"It was a fight. The target [from the 85-match winning streak] keeps getting bigger on this team. The guys dug down deep and found a way to win. The match at No. 3 doubles was key to winning this match. That team saved three match points. The win, instead of going down 3-0, provided a little momentum heading into singles," said Head Coach
Chase Hodges.
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the Grizzly Invitational with a match against NCAA Division II Bluefield State College on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 9 a.m. at the GGC Tennis Facility.
