Men's Tennis Completes ITA Regionals

LAKELAND, Fla.- The Florida Southern College men's tennis team opened its fall schedule hosting the Intercollegiate Tennis Association South Regional Championships this past week. Mocs spent two days at the Beerman Tennis Center and the final days of action at FSC's own Wynee Warden Tennis Center.

"I saw a lot of things this week that we can build upon, especially from younger guys who are looking to break into the lineup," said head coach Rhett Rollyson. "Matthew led the No. 3 guy in the country by a set and a break before losing the match tiebreak. Onur won the first set against the top 25 guy, and lost in the third set as well, so those are both very encouraging. Very happy with Sam as well as his work ethic and professionalism are really shining through. He split with a seed from Valdosta State in the second round, which shows a really high level. I feel we need to get a little physically tougher and play a little more disciplined, as we have the talent to compete with anyone."

This year's regional competition began on Sunday with six Moccasins participating in the singles competition round of 64. Leading the way with opening round two set wins were Mario Garoz over the University Of Montevallo's Guilherme Gracioli, Sam Frizelle over Barry University's Hayze Lopez, and Chris Fok Kow over Spring Hill's Rafael Lima. Those three advanced into the round of 32 while Matthew Hewitt, George Russell, and Onur Turgut just fell short of making the next round of the main draw but made a run in consolation. 

In the round of 32, the Mocs battled the heat as Garoz and Frizelle were retired and did not advance into the following rounds. Fok Kow was defeated in the round of 32 falling 2-4 in his match against Barry's Yan Kodjoed. The three Mocs in consolation, Hewitt and Turgut each had a great run and advanced to the consultation quarterfinals. Russell in his round of 32 withdrew, ending his run in the tournament. The two played each other in the consolation quarterfinal with Turgut taking the match and competing against Saint Leo's Jose Segovia Perez for the consolation semifinal. Turgut won after a rain delay with a 7-7 (5-2) retired score to advance to the consolation final, though it went unplayed due to time constraints.

In doubles, the men's opening round of 32 had three pairs of Moccasins competing in the tournament. Frizelle and Russell won their first round 8-5 over West Alabama's Francisco Oliveira and Eita Ishikawa and Fok Kow and Garoz won 8-4 over Palm Beach Atlantic's Luis Eduardo Platas and Milan Visontai allowing both doubles to advance to the round of 16. Hewitt and Turgut fell short in their doubles debut falling 4-8 in the opening round and 5-8 in the consolation round. In round 16 Frizelle and Russell fell short in their round along with Fok Kow and Garzo who withdrew from their match due to injuries.

The Mocs will be back to compete in the YTF Individual Draw, beginning on Friday, Oct, 25