FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Stetson University men's tennis team tried to overcome losing the doubles point to start its first round ASUN Championship contest against 70th-ranked North Florida, but the Hatters' comeback came up short as the Ospreys took the match, 4-2, at the FGCU Tennis Complex Friday evening.

"We had a tough few days leading into the tournament with a bunch of guys sick," Stetson head men's tennis coach Christophe Noblet said. "Nevertheless, we demonstrated a 'No Excuse' mindset and 'Be Tough' attitude today as we left it all on the court. Congrats to UNF for advancing. I'm proud of our seniors for their contributions to this program over the past four years. They grew up tremendously and are leaving Stetson as Men. Go Hatters!"

On Court 3, Fabian Penzkofer and Tristan Dumas, playing together for the first time this year, won their doubles match 6-4 to even the doubles at 1-1, but North Florida pulled out a 6-3 win on Court 2 to take the point.

Fourth-seeded North Florida (16-7) then rolled to the first two singles points at flights 3 and 6 to jump out to a 3-0 lead.

Fifth-seeded Stetson (11-10) saw its seniors, Diogo Marques (No. 1) and TIm Gennes (No. 4), turn away their opponents in straight sets to pull the Hatters to within 3-2. Marques, a two-time ASUN All-Conference selection, including a 2022 First Team pick, finishes the season with a 10-8 mark, all at flight 1. Gennes, who was named one of six 2022 ASUN All-Academic team members, ended his year with a team-best 13 victories, including his first at flight 4.

ASUN Freshman of the Year, Dumas took the first set from his opponent on Court 2, but lost the second set which forced a third. The match would go unfinished, however, when North Florida was able to win the match on Court 5 and clinch the team victory.
 

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