Rattlers Unable to Build on Two-Game Sweep

The Rattlers tennis team was unable to build on its two-contest sweep in Durham, N.C. on Saturday, as it lost 6-1 to Georgia State on Sunday at the Sharon Lester Tennis Center.

FAMU displayed a dismal performance in singles competition as it dropped every singles contest to the Panthers. The Rattlers earned their only point in doubles competition.
 
“Yesterday’s match was just OK,” team-member Chidi Gabriel said. “Nothing really special other than doubles where we took the point from them. Personally, this isn’t my best season, but it’s still good. As a team we are having a good season based on the fact that we accomplished a lot of our goals.”
 
In singles play, Georgia State’s Victor Valente defeated Salif Kante 6-2, 6-4 in match one. Matias Hatem bested Levan Clark 6-4, 6-0 in match two. Thomas Cook continued the Panthers’ pace with a 6-3, 4-2 victory over Takura Happy in match three.
 
Sofiane Chevellier trumped Gabriel 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (5) in match four. Juan Pablo Gutierrez rolled over Temuera Asafu-Adjaye 6-2, 6-2 in match five, and Ismael Lahlou shut out Fabrice Myrtil 6-0, 6-0 in match six.
 
In doubles competition, Clark/Kante (8-4) and Myrtil/Asafu-Adjaye (8-6) earned FAMU’s only victories.
 
Despite the loss, the Rattlers are on pace to enter the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament in high standing. They will compete against conference rival South Carolina State on Saturday at the FAMU Tennis Complex. The contest begins at 1 p.m.
 
“We knew Georgia State,” Kante said. “We just didn’t execute it the way we wanted to. We definitely have a strong team and we have a shot to win the championship.”
 
Clark said Sunday was a lackluster day outside of doubles competition.
 
“This one wasn’t a good game at all,” Clark said. “Everybody had a bad day for singles and played solid double games.”
 
The Rattlers said they do not plan to dwell on the loss because they are in tournament shape.
 
“We are a confident team so we will be ready for the tournament next week,” Clark said.