Strong singles play led the No. 1-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's tennis team to a 4-0 sweep against No. 9 seed Xavier University of Louisiana in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 NAIA National Championship tournament, in a dual match played Thursday afternoon at the Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Alabama.

Seniors Aleksandr Kalinin and Andoni Garmendi each collected straight-set victories on the No. 4 and No. 5 singles courts, respectively, to give GGC a commanding 3-0 advantage. Kalinin closed out his No. 3 singles match by winning all six games after capturing the first set 6-2 against Artur Yakubov.

Garmendia was also victorious by a 6-2, 6-0 score against Xavier University's Gabriel Velez at No. 5 singles before freshman Kamron McIntosh-Ross clinched the dual match victory with a 6-4, 6-1 triumph on the No. 6 court against Pedro Maggi.

GGC (18-2) earned a pair of 6-2 victories on the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles courts to secure the early point, giving the team a 1-0 advantage. Junior Luis Francisco Sampedro combined with Kalinin to lead the way in doubles with the victory at No. 2 doubles. Then, Garmendia and McIntosh-Ross teamed up for the triumph on the No. 3 court.

The Grizzlies will face No. 5 seed Southeastern University (Florida) in the semifinal round on Friday, May 16, starting at 2 p.m.
 
Coach's Corner
"The guys were tough today within the playing conditions in Mobile. It was definitely one of our most solid doubles performances of the season by our No. 2 and No. 3 teams to clinch that early point. These teams continue to step up their play when needed. We're settling in and peaking at the right moments. That's where we want to be heading into tomorrow's semifinal match," said Head Coach Hannah Keeling.
 
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to face No. 5 seed Southeastern University (Florida) in the semifinal of the 2025 NAIA National Championship tournament on Friday, May 16, in Mobile, Alabama, starting at 2 p.m.