The NAIA's No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's tennis team tuned up for this weekend's Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA Indoor National Championships with a strong 5-2 victory against NCAA Division III No. 6 Emory University in an indoor match on Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta.

The Grizzlies (3-0) quickly seized control of the match winning by 6-2 scores on the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles courts. A victory by the No. 3 team of senior Juan Carlos Garcia and freshman Yerassyl Yerdilda clinched the doubles point, giving the team a 1-0 lead in the match. Senior Francisco Perez Esnaola and sophomore Gian Durrer collected the victory on the No. 2 court.

GGC extended its lead to 3-0 following straight-set triumphs by senior Luis Francisco Sampedro and Yerdilda in singles play. Francisco Sampedro was victorious by 6-4, 6-2 scores on the No. 2 court, while Yerdilda improved to 3-0 on the season with a 6-2, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles.

Emory got on the scoreboard with a straight-set win at the top of the singles lineup before the Grizzlies closed out the match with victories on the No. 5 and No. 6 courts. Carlos Garcia won 12 of the 13 games to record the match-clinching fourth point at No. 5 singles. Junior Kanan Gasimov rounded out the winners with a 6-1, 6-2 score on the No. 6 court.

The Grizzlies have won two of the three ITA NAIA Indoor National Championships, including last year's title. GGC is the No. 2 seed in the eight-team field and is scheduled to play No. 7 seed University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) in a quarterfinal match on Friday, February 13, in Rome, Georgia, starting at 8 a.m.
 
Coach's Corner
"I am pleased with our play throughout the day. Our players are tough in all situations on all courts. The guys increased their energy and got some good indoor match practice before this weekend's nationals," said Head Coach Tom Rees.
 
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 7 seed University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) in a quarterfinal-round match of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA Indoor National Championships on Friday, February 13, in Rome, Georgia, starting at 8 a.m.