LAKELAND, Fla. – The Fire continued their solid spring play on Monday. Top singles Diego Menendez posted his 100th career win and highlighted Southeastern University's victory over No. 15 Middle Georgia State, 5-2, in men's tennis action.
With the team score tied after doubles play and three singles finished, Menendez pulled out a 7-5 first set close score against the Knights' No. 7 ranked Daniel Garcia Suarez. Menendez left no doubt in the top singles outcome as he shut out his opponent, 6-0, and began the Fire's run of wins for the final three matches.
After his singles win, Menendez became the first SEU men's tennis player to reach a combined 100 career wins between doubles and singles play.
"Obviously, Diego is a special kid, having been with us since his freshman year. I'm proud of him and what he has brought to our tennis team and just the guy that he is," said SEU head coach Drew Dickens.
"They (Middle Georgia State) played really well, so credit to them, but we fought hard," said Menendez. "We did a really good job taking some second sets, closing matches out, and eventually taking the win."
The senior Fire player shared on his 100th win milestone, "It's a great accomplishment. I'm very proud to be the first guy in SEU history to do it. I am thankful to Coach Dickens for bringing me to SEU, and everyone that helped me on the way."
The Fire were tested the most on Monday against the Knights in the eighth match of the year. SEU won its third-straight match-up against Middle Georgia State and it has now not given up more than two opposing team points in any of the eight matches.
"The guys had to battle. They got down early in four out of the six singles games, after taking the doubles point," explained Dickens. "It is a credit to Middle Georgia State as they are a great team and Tom (Bates - Head Coach), does a great job with his guys."
After Menendez's win to push the Fire ahead, both Javier Gallego and Mark Griffin sealed the team victory. At the third spot, Gallego started slow and dropped the first set to MGSU's Adria Pratdepadua (4-6), before he battled back for the win over the ensuing two sets (6-3, 6-1).
Griffin had an identical battle with the Knight's Samyak Bajrcharya in a first-set tiebreaker, 6-7 (2-7). The Fire grad student rebounded and took the next two sets in 6-3, 6-1 finals.
SEU took the doubles point in the first two completed pairings. Alejandro Orihuela and Griffin teamed at third doubles with a 6-2 final over Neill Pillai/Nick Dufner. Menendez won his first of the day with Piero Fernandez in a 6-3 score over the Knights' Dominik Simunovic/Mauricio Olschansky.
Pratdepadua/Suarez took a contested second doubles (7-5) against SEU's Gallego/Gonzalo Fernandez.
MGSU tied the day when Simunovic held off the Fire's Piero Fernandez in straight sets (6-2, 6-2).
Gonzalo Fernandez won the sixth singles for a 2-1 SEU lead when he beat Dufner (6-3, 6-2).
The Knights deadlocked the match a second time, 2-2, after Duarte Mestre prevailed past Orihuela (6-0, 6-4).
SEU stays home where it will entertain St. Thomas University on Friday afternoon starting at 1 p.m.
