DELAND, Fla. — Stetson defeated Air Force 5-2 on Thursday at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center. The Hatters secured five singles victories, overcoming an initial doubles deficit to clinch the match. Notably, this victory maintains Stetson's perfect record against Air Force, as they are now 3-0 all-time in their matchups.
Air Force earned the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Jack Brown and Tyler Leaird defeated Kartik Mandla and Alexandre Verlaguet 6-4 on court one, while AJ Moore and Langdon Tingleaf overcame Christian Kuehne and Santiago Padilla Cote 6-4 on court two. The match at No. 3 doubles featuring Xavier Sarda Marti and James Lorenzetti against Phillip Deaton and Alec Fritzinger was left unfinished at 5-4.
Stetson responded strongly in singles play, claiming five of the six matches. Marc Saura started with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win over Alec Fritzinger at No. 4 singles. Verlaguet followed with a 6-2, 6-2 victory against Brown at No. 1 singles, and Kuehne added another point with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Deaton at No. 2 singles.
Mihnea Maftei provided a comeback at No. 6 singles, rallying to defeat Matthew Staton 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Despite a close contest, Tingleaf edged out Lorenzetti in a three-set match at No. 5 singles, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(1). Xavier Sarda Marti clinched the overall victory for Stetson at No. 3 singles, outlasting Moore 6-1, 1-6, 7-5. This win was particularly impressive as Stetson managed to come back after dropping the doubles point.
Doubles
Jack Brown/Tyler Leaird (AF) def. Kartik Mandla/Alexandre Verlaguet (STET) 6-4
AJ Moore/Langdon Tingleaf (AF) def. Christian Kuehne/Santiago Padilla Cote (STET) 6-4
Phillip Deaton/Alec Fritzinger (AF) vs. Xavier Sarda Marti/James Lorenzetti (STET) 5-4 (unfinished)
Singles
Alexandre Verlaguet (STET) def. Jack Brown (AF) 6-2, 6-2
Christian Kuehne (STET) def. Phillip Deaton (AF) 6-1, 7-5
Xavier Sarda Marti (STET) def. AJ Moore (AF) 6-1, 1-6, 7-5
Marc Saura (STET) def. Alec Fritzinger (AF) 6-0, 6-2
Langdon Tingleaf (AF) def. James Lorenzetti (STET) 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(1)
Mihnea Maftei (STET) def. Matthew Staton (AF) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
Quotes
"It was not an easy match, playing against service academies is always tough, they're always in shape. We started off slow but that's tennis, sometimes you win sometimes you lose but I think the team pushed hard. I'm very happy, I'm cramping but I gave everything just for the team. Now we're thinking about the next match but so happy to win and for the team," said Xavier Sarda Marti.
"It was definitely a tough victory over a good Air Force team, credit to them in doubles—they came out and outplayed us. We were able to regroup after the doubles point. Most important, I was proud of how our guys fought. We got off to some quick starts in the first set of singles and that really helped moving forward. Credit to Xavi, shutting out a tough three-set victory. Most importantly, from a team standpoint, I was really proud of how the guys came together, cheered for one another, and just kept digging deep and never giving up. Absolute shoutout to all our Stetson fans—you all don't realize how much you help pull us through matches, doubles-wise, singles-wise, winning points—you're part of the victories too. That always plays a key role and gives the guys more energy. We can't thank the fans enough for coming out," said Coach John Shade.
Up Next
The Hatters hit the road on Friday, Feb. 20 for a matchup at South Florida. First serve is set for 1:30 p.m. at the USF Varsity Tennis Complex in Tampa, Fla. The match will be streamed on PlaySight.
