The NAIA's top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's tennis team completed an undefeated regular season with a 7-0 victory against NCAA Division III No. 14 Emory University (Georgia) during Senior Day on Saturday at the GGC Tennis Facility.
The Grizzlies (21-0) quickly grabbed momentum in the match, winning by identical 6-1 scores at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles to secure a 1-0 advantage. The senior tandem of
Luis Francisco Sampedro and
Santiago Villarruel clinched the doubles point at the top of the lineup. The duo is the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's No. 1-ranked NAIA doubles pairing.
Senior
Francisco Perez Esnaola teamed with sophomore
Gian Durrer for the first triumph in the doubles portion of the dual match with a victory on the No. 2 court.
GGC then collected six singles wins by straight-set scores.
Freshman
Yerassyl Yerdilda gave the hosts a 2-0 lead with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 triumph on the No. 4 court. Perez Esnaola was victorious by 6-2, 6-0 scores at No. 3 singles for the team's third point of the match.
Freshman
Luka Vuglar won the match-clinching point with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph at No. 5 singles. Senior
Juan Carlos Garcia tallied a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory on the No. 6 court.
Francisco Sampedro registered a 6-1, 6-4 triumph at No. 2 singles and Villarruel collected a hard-fought 7-6, 6-3 victory at the top of the lineup.
Prior to the match the program honored seniors Carlos Garcia, Francisco Sampedro, Perez Esnaola, and Villarruel.
Coach's Corner
"It was a great way for our seniors to finish at home today. They have each played their part in continuing to advance GGC's tennis legacy and deserve all the credit for the hard work they continue to put in ahead of the NAIA national championship tournament. This is a hungry group and today was another step up the ladder," said Head Coach
Tom Rees.
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to compete in the 2026 NAIA National Championship tournament, with first-round play beginning May 12 in Mobile, Alabama. The Grizzlies have won 10 national titles in program history.
