Owls Take Down Cross-State Rival

Saturday, February 5

Tampa, Fla.

10 a.m.

Florida Atlantic

USF

2021-22 FAU Men’s Tennis Photo Day Gerard Escandell

Photo by: ©JC Ridley/Florida Atlantic

2/5/2022 6:25:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men's tennis team traveled to Tampa, Florida to face host USF, in the second of three-consecutive scheduled in-state matchups. For the second time in as many matches, the Owls fought and came away with the 4-3 win over the Bulls.

Cashing in on a USF win has proven difficult for past Owls, but on Saturday, every close point or tiebreak fell FAU's way, including Gerard Escandell's three-set tiebreak win.

Until the last point was recorded, it seemed as if FAU was fighting an uphill battle. The Bulls took the early lead by winning the doubles point. Finn Stodder, who mounted a comeback three-set win, put FAU up for the fit time at 3-2. The matched then moved to 3-3, setting up Escandell's 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) heroics.

The win moves FAU to 5-0 on the year, with the opportunity to host Stetson next week.

Ricardo's Remarks

Head Coach Ricardo Gonzalez on the win over USF
"Today was 100% a team effort," said Gonzalez.. "Our boys fought extremely hard and dug extremely deep. They all stayed composed in the big moments. On many occasions, we were not looking great. We were in a position to lose the match. Our team never stopped believing though. Our boys were tough, resilient and gritty during these times, and this is what championship teams do."

"We were down match points on courts four and six. Gerard saved three team match points and Finn saved two match points on his court. This is a well deserved victory and I couldn't be prouder for this team. We will enjoy this win today and then shift our focus to Stetson. We have to continue to clean up a few things in our games."

The Results

2/05/2022 at Tampa, Fla. (USF Varsity Tennis Courts)
Florida Atlantic 4, South Florida 3

Singles
1. Huempfner, Kevin (FAU) def. Chase Ferguson (USFM) 6-4, 6-3
2. Antonio Muniz (USFM) def. Sarrio, Carles (FAU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
3. Fernandez Horta, A (FAU) def. Ivan Yatsuk (USFM) 6-2, 6-2
4. Escandell, Gerard (FAU) def. Bruno Oliveira (USFM) 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7)
5. Sergio Gomez Montesa (USFM) def. Jadoun, Nicolas (FAU) 6-4, 6-0
6. Stodder, Fin (FAU) def. Alvin Tudorica (USFM) 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2

Doubles
1. Rithvik Bollipalli/Bruno Oliveira (USFM) def. Sarrio, Carles/Robbins, Hunter (FAU) 7-5
2. Chase Ferguson/Antonio Muniz (USFM) def. Huempfner, Kevin/Krolo, Filip (FAU) 6-3
3. Fernandez Horta, A/Stodder, Fin (FAU) def. Sergio Gomez Montesa/Alvin Tudorica (USFM) 7-6 (7-3)

Match Notes:
Florida Atlantic 5-0
South Florida 1-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (3,5,1,6,2,4)

Next Up

The Owls will next play another in state opponent when Stetson visits "Paradise" on Stetson on Saturday, Feb. 12 at noon.

Follow Along

For the Owls' complete schedule, click HERE. To follow the team socially, visit @faumtennis, or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.