Tritons' Season Comes to Close at SSC Championships

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Eckerd men's tennis team saw its season come to a close on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Sunshine State Conference Championships, falling to top-seeded Barry, 5-0, at IMG Academy.

The Bucs, ranked No. 2 in the nation, lived up to their billing.  Barry marched through doubles with three 8-2 wins and closed out the victory with wins at No. 1 and No. 6 singles.

"I am really proud of the men," said EC head coach Ben Maxwell.  "We played one of the best teams in the country today.  We went in with the mentality of having nothing to lose and leaving it all on the court.  We fought hard but Barry was too good today."

Despite losing in the No. 1 position, Victor Appleqvist proved himself a worthy competitor for Carlos Gomez, who is ranked No. 11 in singles in the country.  Gomez held off Appleqvist, 6-3 and 6-4, to clinch the win for the Bucs (19-1).

The season comes to an end for the Tritons (8-9), a young team that had several bright spots throughout the year leaving optimism for the future.

"I am very proud of our season," Maxwell said.  "We fought hard all year and we showed glimpses of really amazing tennis.  I am so grateful to have such an amazing group of guys that I get to work with every day.  We are looking forward to some time off and to start strong in the fall."

Eddie Lewis, the team's only senior, wrapped up his college career at the tournament.

Doubles competition
1. #4 Ahmed Triki/Pierre Montrieul (BARRY-MT) def. Victor Appelqvist/Alasdair Knox (ECM) 8-2
2. #25 Carlos Gomez/Vivien Versier (BARRY-MT) def. Matt Spasic/Will Stone (ECM) 8-2
3. Fernando Tous/Flavio Matteoli (BARRY-MT) def. Eddie Lewis/Bruno Alves (ECM) 8-2

Singles competition
1. #11 Carlos Gomez (BARRY-MT) def. Victor Appelqvist (ECM) 6-3, 6-4
2. #46 Nico Dreer (BARRY-MT) vs. Eddie Lewis (ECM) 6-1, 4-1, unfinished
3. Fabian Pronnet (BARRY-MT) vs. Will Stone (ECM) 6-0, 5-0, unfinished
4. Vivien Versier (BARRY-MT) vs. Matt Spasic (ECM) 6-1, 3-0, unfinished
5. Thomas Bugeaud (BARRY-MT) vs. Alasdair Knox (ECM) 6-2, 2-2, unfinished
6. Daniel Ventura (BARRY-MT) def. Connor Masella (ECM) 6-0, 6-0