DeLand, Fla. — The Stetson University men's tennis team opened the spring season in dominant fashion on Friday, sweeping a doubleheader against the Millennia Atlantic Macaws at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center to move to 2-0 on the young campaign.
The Hatters controlled play throughout the day, earning a 7-0 victory in the morning opener before closing the afternoon match early after clinching the team result. Across both matches, Stetson showcased depth throughout the lineup, conceding just seven total games in completed singles matches.
Match One
Stetson 7, Millennia Atlantic 0
Stetson wasted little time asserting itself in the opener, claiming all three doubles courts to secure the early point. Kartik Mandla and Alexandre Verlaguet set the tone at the top spot with a 6-2 win, while Xavier Sarda Marti and James Lorenzetti followed with a 6-1 victory on court two. Mihnea Maftei and Ofek Sivan completed the sweep with a 6-1 decision on court three.
Singles play mirrored the momentum from doubles, as the Hatters earned straight-set wins across all six courts. Verlaguet opened singles with a 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 1, followed by Christian Kuehne's 6-1, 6-1 performance on court two. Lorenzetti, Mateya Stanisavljevic, Marc Saura, and Sivan rounded out the lineup with decisive victories to close the match.
Match Two
Stetson vs. Millennia Atlantic (Clinched Early)
In the afternoon contest, Stetson once again claimed the doubles point, winning two of the three courts to take early control. Mandla and Verlaguet earned their second doubles win of the day with a 6-0 result on court two, while Kuehne and Maftei secured a 6-1 victory on court three.
Singles action concluded once the match was clinched, with the Hatters picking up three completed wins. Sivan, Maftei, and Mandla each delivered 6-0, 6-0 performances on courts four, five, and six, respectively, to close out the doubleheader unbeaten.
Match One Results
Doubles
#1: Mandla, Kartik / Verlaguet, Alexandre [STET] def. Bonastre, Ferran / Narinsky Vargas, Tadeo [MAU] 6-2
#2: Sarda Marti, Xavier / Lorenzetti, James [STET] def. Ferreyra, Franco / Diaz, Santiago [MAU] 6-1
#3: Maftei, Mihnea / Sivan, Ofek [STET] def. Ramirez, Esteban / Jerkovic, Philipp [MAU] 6-1
Singles
#1: Verlaguet, Alexandre [STET] def. Narinsky Vargas, Tadeo [MAU] 6-0, 6-3
#2: Kuehne, Christian [STET] def. Bonastre, Ferran [MAU] 6-1, 6-1
#3: Lorenzetti, James [STET] def. Ferreyra, Franco [MAU] 6-0, 6-2
#4: Stanisavljevic, Mateya [STET] def. Ramirez, Esteban [MAU] 6-1, 6-2
#5: Saura, Marc [STET] def. Diaz, Santiago [MAU] 6-0, 6-0
#6: Sivan, Ofek [STET] def. Gupta, Keshav [MAU] 6-1, 6-1
Match Two Results
Doubles
#1: Sarda Marti, Xavier / Saura, Marc [STET] vs. Bonastre, Ferran / Narinsky Vargas, Tad [MAU] 3-2, unfinished
#2: Mandla, Kartik / Verlaguet, Alexandre [STET] def. Ferreyra, Franco / Jerkovic, Phillip [MAU] 6-0
#3: Kuehne, Christian / Maftei, Mihnea [STET] def. Ramirez, Esteban / Diaz, Santiago [MAU] 6-1
Singles
#4: Sivan, Ofek [STET] def. Ramirez, Esteban [MAU] 6-1, 6-0
#5: Maftei, Mihnea [STET] def. Velez, Santiago [MAU] 6-0, 6-0
#6: Mandla, Kartik [STET] def. Sorda, Oliver [MAU] 6-0, 6-0
Words from Coach
"It was a total team effort, and we're really happy with the wins today against Millennia Atlantic," said Head Coach John Shade. "One of our main focuses all week was togetherness, and I thought the guys in the lineup brought great energy in doubles, which translated extremely well into singles. We were consistent and did a good job winning key points when it mattered most.
"As we continue to improve, one of the things we always emphasize is executing in tight moments — especially on no-ad points and when scores get close — making sure we're setting points up properly and finishing them the right way.
"Every match is tough, and I was especially proud of our new guys today. Our first-year players, along with James as a transfer, have done a great job acclimating quickly, which is never easy. They answered the bell in both singles and doubles, and most importantly, they stayed present and didn't look too far ahead. All of them had a great week of practice and did an excellent job translating what we work on every day into match play. We're really excited about what the future holds for this group."
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
