VALDOSTA –– The No. 14-ranked Valdosta State men’s tennis team opened the 2019 home season with a 4-1 win over visiting Austin Peay Thursday at the VSU Tennis Courts. The Blazers took home the doubles point and won three of four completed singles matches for the victory.

VSU (2-3) downed the Division I Governors as juniors Yohan Nguyen and Alex Holm made quick work of Anton Damberg and Almantas Ozelis at No. 1 doubles, 6-2. At No. 2 doubles, junior Jordi Mas paired with freshman Florian Simbozel defeated Timo Kiesslich and Christian Edison, 6-3 to earn the team point.

In singles, Austin Peay (3-9) tied the match as Ozelis downed Mas 6-3, 6-1 at the top spot, but the Blazers came back with Holm winning in straight-sets over Jacob Lorino at No. 5, 6-2, 6-3 for a 2-1 lead.

VSU then earned a win at No. 4 as junior Xavi Pineda downed Kiesslich, 7-5, 6-2 for a 3-1 lead and Nguyen defeated Damburg 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3 for the win in the first meeting between the two teams on the court.

The Blazers now turn their attention to Gulf South Conference play, opening the league at Shorter on March 15, at Alabama Huntsville on Mar. 16 and at Lee on March 17. VSU then returns home to host three-straight matches, beginning March 26 with Montevallo at 2 p.m.