FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Tennessee Tech tennis team's comeback bid fell short Friday evening as the Golden Eagles (1-2) were ultimately unable to overcome a slow start en route to a 5-2 loss at Florida Gulf Coast.

The Eagles (5-2) collected their fourth-straight win thanks in part to a quick beginning that featured a tone-setting victory in doubles play to kick start the match. The duo of Eduardo Alfonzo and Oliver Landert claimed the first win of the tilt with a 6-1 nod over Carlos Tajes and Jorge Alfonzo in the No. 3 doubles spot, before Andres Alfonzo and Javier Fernandez secured the doubles point with a victory over Guillermo Nicolas and Eduardo Mena in the No. 2 position.

Despite the initial setback, the tandem of Nicolas and Mena would bounce back during singles play as Nicolas seized a 6-2, 6-1 win over Landert in the No. 4 spot, while Mena notched a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 against Ricky Ventura in the No. 1 spot.

Mena's nod sliced the Tech deficit to 3-2, but comeback chance fell short with a Manfred Fellin win over Jorge Alfonzo in the No. 6 spot that clinched the match for FGCU.

With the season-opening three-match road swing now in the rearview mirror, the Golden Eagles will set their sights on the home opener on Thursday, Feb. 18 as Tech will say hello to Chattanooga at 11 a.m. CT.  

Doubles
1) Ventura/Vaz (FGCU) vs. Arovin/Esteban (TTU) 5-2, DNF
2) A. Alfonzo/Fernandez (FGCU) def. Nicolas/Mena (TTU) 6-2
3) E. Alfonzo/Landert (FGCU) def. Tajes/Alfonso (TTU) 6-1

Singles
1) Mena (TTU) def. Ventura (FGCU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
2) A. Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Arovin (TTU) 6-2, 6-1
3) E. Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Esteban (TTU) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7)
4) Nicolas (TTU) def. Landert (FGCU) 6-2, 6-1
5) Fernandez (FGCU) def. Tajes (TTU) 7-5, 6-2
6) Fellin (FGCU) def. Alfonso (TTU) 7-6 (5), 6-4

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