LAKELAND â€" Ending a stretch of five matches in six days, #29 Florida Southern got doubles and singles points from juniors Vladimir Barabash and Nathan Leavitt, and individual wins from juniors Benoit Paradis and Robbie Palmiotto as well, in a 6-3 victory over #37 Northwood (MI).
Barabash and Leavitt got the Moccasins (7-6) started with an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles before the Timberwolves (5-3) tied the score with an 8-6 win at the top doubles flight. Junior Jorge Gutierrez and sophomore Carl Lundberg then put the Mocs back on top with their 8-5 win at No. 3 doubles, winning for the second day in a row after teaming up for the first time this season on Friday.
Florida Southern ran off three straight singles wins after that, with Barabash and Paradis winning in straight sets, and Leavitt clinching the match with a 7-6, 6-1 decision at the number four position. Palmiotto’s 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) win at No. 6 singles put the Mocs ahead 6-1 before the Timberwolves won the final two points.
The win over Northwood gave the Mocs a 4-1 record for the week, with two of those wins over top-40 opponents. They’ll have a few days off before returning to action on Friday, March 22, when they host SE Oklahoma State at 10:00 a.m.
