WEST PALM BEACH - Florida Southern broke into the win column in resounding fashion Saturday afternoon as the Moccasins won the third through sixth singles flights dropping just five games, and got a 3-set win from Benoit Paradis at number one singles to defeat Palm Beach Atlantic 8-1.
Robbie Palmiotto and Vladimir Barabash, who were in the doubles lineup for the first time this season, gave Florida Southern (1-6) its first point with an 8-1 victory at number three doubles, but the next two points didn't come easily. Jorge Gutierrez and Ivan Marevic out-lasted Mick Lyons and Eric Wade at the top doubles flight, 9-7, before Paradis and Carl Lundberg had to go to a tie-breaker to win theirs, 9-8 (8-6).
Armed with a 3-0 lead, the Moccasins wasted no time in putting the match away, getting wins from Lundberg and Charles Garneau at number four and five singles. Leavitt quickly followed at number three, but the Mocs were denied a shutout when Lyons defeated Marevic at number two singles, 6-2, 6-4. Palmiotto then gave Florida Southern another point with his victory at the number six positions, joining Lundberg, Garneau and Leavitt with at least one 6-0 win among their scores.
Paradis ended the match with a 4-6, 6-2, 11-9 win over Luke Bolanos, giving the sophomore his third career win at the number one singles position.
Florida Southern returns home for its next match on Monday, as the Moccasins host Eckerd at 3:00 p.m.
