MACON, Ga. – The Stetson men's tennis team (13-1, 4-0) remained undefeated in Atlantic Sun Conference play with a 5-2 road victory over Mercer (3-11, 1-2) on Saturday afternoon. 

The Bears, who defeated Florida Gulf Coast late Friday night, put Stetson in a hole early by winning the doubles point.  The Hatters' number two doubles pair of senior Didrik Berg and freshman Simon Julin won 8-2, but Mercer won the other two matches to win the first point of Saturday's match.

Freshman Cahit Kapukiran then evened things up at 1-1, making quick work of Mercer's Vincent DeLise, 6-2, 6-2 at number four singles.  The Hatters took a 2-1 lead in the match when Berg won at number one singles 7-5, 6-3 in just his second outing back from sitting out singles action with an injury.

Julin and Laurynas Antropikas both won their first sets by close 7-6 margins.  The former won his second set 6-0 to give Stetson a 3-1 lead, and the latter won his second set 6-2 to clinch the victory for the Hatters.

The Hatters and the Bears split the final two singles matches.  Freshman Egor Panyushkin won at number five singles, 7-6, 6-3, while sophomore Chester Espie fell to Arsav Mohanty 6-0, 1-6, 1-0 (7) at the number six position.

“The team fought back with determination after losing the doubles point,” Stetson Director of Tennis Pierre Pilote said.  “Mercer played excellent tennis today despite finishing their match against FGCU late last night.  It's not easy to deal with rain delays and the uncertainty of possible additional showers, but our guys did a great job staying focused.”

Stetson now returns home, and host No. 64 East Tennessee State on Thursday.  The Hatters and the Bucs will square off at 12:00 p.m. at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center.