FORT MYERS, Fla. — Stetson University delivered a dominant performance on Wednesday, defeating Lipscomb University 4-0 in the ASUN Championship quarterfinals at the FGCU Tennis Complex. The Hatters swept doubles play and secured three straight-set singles victories to punch their ticket to the semifinals.
Stetson set the tone early by claiming the doubles point with a clean sweep across all three courts. Kartik Mandla and Alexandre Verlaguet led the way with a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles over Oliver Thoeny and Alex Vlahos. Christian Kuehne and Santia Padilla Cote followed with a 6-3 victory at No. 2 against Facundo Perlov and Filippo Verdese. Xavier Sarda Marti and Marc Saura completed the sweep with a 6-4 win on court three over Oskar Szymczak and Henrique Ushizima.
The Hatters carried that momentum into singles play, quickly building a lead. Xavier Sarda Marti was first off the court with a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles. James Lorenzetti added another point with a 7-5, 6-2 victory at No. 6, putting Stetson one point away from advancing.
Marc Saura sealed the match at No. 5 singles, earning a 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Vlahos to clinch the 4-0 victory.
Play was halted on the remaining courts with Stetson holding leads in two of the three unfinished matches. Alexandre Verlaguet led 7-5, 4-2 at No. 1 singles, while Santia Padilla Cote was ahead 6-2, 3-2 at No. 4. Christian Kuehne was in a tight battle at No. 2 when play concluded.
DOUBLES
Kartik Mandla/Alexandre Verlaguet (STET) def. Oliver Thoeny/Alex Vlahos (LIP) 6-1
Christian Kuehne/Santia Padilla Cote (STET) def. Facundo Perlov/Filippo Verdese (LIP) 6-3
Xavier Sarda Marti/Marc Saura (STET) def. Oskar Szymczak/Henrique Ushizima (LIP) 6-4
Order of finish: 1, 2, 3
SINGLES
Alexandre Verlaguet (STET) vs. Facundo Perlov (LIP) 7-5, 4-2 (unfinished)
Filippo Verdese (LIP) vs. Christian Kuehne (STET) 7-5, 1-2 (unfinished)
Xavier Sarda Marti (STET) def. Henrique Ushizima (LIP) 6-4, 6-4
Santia Padilla Cote (STET) vs. Oskar Szymczak (LIP) 6-2, 3-2 (unfinished)
Marc Saura (STET) def. Alex Vlahos (LIP) 7-6(4), 6-3
James Lorenzetti (STET) def. Oliver Thoeny (LIP) 7-5, 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 6, 5
WORDS FROM COACH
"I'm proud of how our team competed starting off winning the doubles point and then finishing strongly in singles to get the victory," said Coach John Shade. "It was great to see Marc clinch for the win. We look forward to the semis."
UP NEXT
Stetson advances to the ASUN Championship semifinals, where the Hatters will face No. 2 seed North Alabama on Friday at 9:00 a.m. at the FGCU Tennis Complex.
