Stone, Spasic Win but Tritons Fall at No. 2 Saint Leo

SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Triton men's tennis team faced a stout early-season test on Thursday as Eckerd traveled to face No. 2 Saint Leo.

Eckerd (0-2, 0-2 SSC) nearly emerged from doubles play with the lead but were swept in singles play as the Lions scored an 8-1 win.

The duo of Will Stone and Matt Spasic won their second straight doubles contest, edging SLU's Jaime Bueno and Oskar Nurmio at No. 2 doubles, 9-8 (7-5).

"I'm very proud and excited for Matt and Will today," said EC head coach Ben Maxwell.  "They fought through a really tough match.  They kept their poise through some key points during the match.  I'm excited for their start this year."

Connor Masella and Eddie Lewis nearly gave the Tritons a 2-1 lead after doubles but dropped a hard-fought 8-6 decision at No. 3 doubles to Francisco Aparicio and Charles Benet.

The Lions (3-0, 2-0 SSC) then won all six points in singles play to cap the day.

At No.6 singles, Masella came back from a 6-1 loss in the first set to almost extend the match to three sets before Willem Van Den Akker sneaked out a 7-6 win in set two.

The Tritons return to the court on February 27 to host Florida Southern at 3:00 PM.

Doubles
1: Thomas Grinberg/Vincent Suillerot (SLM) def. Victor Appelqvist/Alasdair Knox (ECM) 8-0
2: Will Stone / Matt Spasic (ECM) def. Jaime Bueno / Oskar Nurmio (SLM) 9-8 (7-5)
3: Francisco Aparicio / Charles Benet (SLM) def. Connor Masella / Eddie Lewis (ECM) 8-6

Singles
1: Thomas Grinberg (SLM) def. Victor Appelqvist (ECM) 6-0, 6-1
2: Vincent Suillerot (SLM) def. Eddie Lewis (ECM) 6-3, 6-2
3: Jaime Bueno (SLM) def. Will Stone (ECM) 6-0, 6-0
4: Francisco Aparicio (SLM) def. Matt Spasic (ECM) 6-0, 6-0
5: Charles Benet (SLM) def. Alasdair Knox (ECM) 6-2, 6-2
6: Willem Van Den Akker (SLM) def. Connor Masella (ECM) 6-1, 7-6