The NAIA's top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's tennis team recorded a commanding 7-0 victory on Senior Day over No. 16 Middle Georgia State University to close out the home slate on Saturday afternoon at the GGC Tennis Facility.

The Grizzlies (15-2) collected a pair of 6-2 doubles triumphs to grab the 1-0 advantage in the dual match.

Senior Jeremias Rocco teamed with junior Santiago Villarruel for a dominant 6-2 doubles performance on the No. 1 court. The Rocco-Villarruel pairing is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Senior Aleksandr Kalinin and junior Luis Francisco Sampedro clinched the doubles point with a victory on the No. 3 court.

"Winning on Senior Day is a good feeling. It is special playing doubles with one of my friends. We have great chemistry," said Rocco.

GGC followed with straight-set victories on all six singles courts.

Freshman Mateo Larrea picked up a 6-1, 6-2 triumph at No. 5 singles to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. Classmate Kamron McIntosh-Ross tallied the team's third point of the dual match with a 6-0, 6-1 victory on the No. 6 court.

Kalinin clinched the match victory with identical 6-2 set scores on the No. 3 singles court.

Then, Francisco Sampedro picked up a 6-0, 6-2 triumph at No. 2 singles before a pair of singles registered the final two GGC points in the dual match.

Rocco, who stands No. 17 nationally, registered a 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over No. 10 Daniel Garcia at the top of the singles lineup.

Garmendia won all six games in the first set before closing the No. 4 singles match with a 6-4 second-set score.

"It was a special day for sure. I am happy to contribute to the team as we are closing out the regular season strong," said Garmendia.
 
Coach's Corner
"The impact our seniors have made, not only through the numbers and results they have accomplished, but the way they have put the team first and carried themselves as people. That has left a big legacy for the program," said Head Coach Hannah Keeling.
 
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to end the regular season with a match at NCAA Division III Emory University on Tuesday, April 15, in Atlanta, starting at 1 p.m.