KENNESAW, Ga. (March 23, 2024) – The University of North Alabama men's tennis team earned its second Atlantic Sun Conference victory in style Saturday, rallying back for a 4-3 win at Kennesaw State.

UNA won its second-straight road dual with a thriller, coming down to the final three matches in singles play. North Alabama trailed 3-1 heading into the bouts, but junior Nazar Fedoryshyn, sophomore Federico Scotuzzi and freshman Izan Orgiles all won from their respective flights to give the Lions their first-ever win over Kennesaw State. Scotuzzi and Orgiles played to three sets in the victory.

The win also proved historic, as the Lions surpassed their single season wins record at the Division I level. UNA won their 11th dual of the season to set the mark that was previously set in the 2023 season with 10 wins. The Lions can continue to extend their win total with seven duals remaining on the schedule.

North Alabama was led by Scotuzzi and Fedoryshyn, who won as a pair in doubles before sparking a comeback with their singles wins. The two began by earning their eighth doubles victory with a 6-3 triumph over Joel Gibson/Anthony Weingarten from flight two. The Owls took the remaining doubles courts to begin with the early lead.

Kennesaw State extended its lead to two with a flight two win in singles, but freshman Birtan Duran answered with a 7-5, 6-0 win over Anthony Weingarten for UNA's first points. The Istanbul native won his 12th singles match with the win, but the Owls won the ensuing match from the top flight to regain the two-point advantage.

Fedoryshyn gained a point back with his win from flight five, beating Hugo Salmeron, 6-4, 7-5. Scotuzzi made it two straight by holding off Joel Gibson, whose comeback fell short in a 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 win for the Lions. The final match between Orgiles and KSU's Sam Baldwin set the stage for a dramatic ending, as the freshman from Elda, Alicante, Spain pulled through for a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 triumph from flight three. The win for Orgiles marked his fifth straight singles win and his 10th overall.

The Lions turn their attention to North Florida next, traveling to Jacksonville, Fla. to face the Ospreys on Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m. CT. 



North Alabama 4, Kennesaw State 3 



Doubles 
1. Raul Garcia/Harvey Conway (KSU) def. Alberto Altur/Birtan Duran (UNA), 6-3 
2. Federico Scotuzzi/Nazar Fedoryshyn (UNA) def. Joel Gibson/Anthony Weingarten (KSU), 6-3 
3. Mikolaj Lis/Hugo Salmeron (KSU) def. Lachlan Brain/Izan Orgiles (UNA), 7-5


Singles 
1. Raul Garcia (KSU) def. Lachlan Brain (UNA), 6-4, 6-1 
2. Harvey Conway (KSU) def. Alberto Altur (UNA), 6-3, 6-3 
3. Izan Orgiles (UNA) def. Sam Baldwin (KSU), 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 
4. Birtan Duran (UNA) def. Anthony Weingarten (KSU), 7-5, 6-0 
5. Nazar Fedoryshyn (UNA) def. Hugo Salmeron (KSU), 6-4, 7-5 
6. Federico Scotuzzi (UNA) def. Joel Gibson (KSU), 7-6, 4-6, 6-2


Match Notes 

North Alabama: 11-5 
Kennesaw State: 7-5 

Order of Completion: Doubles (2,1,3) Singles (2,4,1,5,6,3) 

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