Panthers Fall to #13 Florida Gulf Coast in Southeast Mens Action
FORT MYERS, Fla.- (men’s tennis) — Florida Tech (3-4) falls to #13 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (2-1) in NCAA DII Southeast tennis action 8-1. The Eagles
reclassifying to DI took all but the #1 singles match today at the FGCU Tennis Complex.
Despite the loss to the nationally ranked program Florida Tech managed to notch points in every singles and doubles match on the day. Senior Cliff Giel
(Savaneta, Aruba) notched his fourth singles victory with a 4-3 2007 overall record. Giel downed Alberto Gutierrez 6-3, 6-3. In other singles action,
Christian Smith (Arauca, Trinidad) fought a hard battle losing the first set 7-5 and falling in the second set 7-6 (3).
#15 ranked Keith Kessler (Brooklyn, N/Y.) and Giel unfortunately fell to Brenton Bacon and Alex Gjesten 8-6 in a long rally. Bacon not ranked in doubles
but holds a national singles rank of #8 and #3 in region. Smith and partner Jon Hanna (Nassau, Bahamas) pulled off one game in an 8-1 loss against Alberto
Gutierrez and Danny Lee. 3# Tech Christian Kieber (Sankt, Gallenkirch, Austria) and Joel Zahlan (Sarasota, Fla.) fell 8-2 in their doubles match.
Florida Tech will be back in action tomorrow during President’s Day facing SSC opponent Eckerd College on the road at noon while the women face the Tritons
at 2:00 p.m.
Tennis Match Results
Florida Tech vs Florida Gulf Coast Univ.
02/18/07 at Ft. Myers, Fla.
#4 Florida Gulf Coast Univ. 8, #8 Florida Tech 1
Singles competition
1. Clifford Giel (FTM) def. Alberto Gutierrez (FGCU) 6-3, 6-3
2. Alex Gjesten (FGCU) def. #13 Keith Kessler (FTM) 6-3, 6-3
3. Edson Lima (FGCU) def. Christian Kieber (FTM) 6-3, 6-3
4. Danny Lee (FGCU) def. Jonathan Hanna (FTM) 6-2, 6-2
5. Mikkel Muller (FGCU) def. David Fowler (FTM) 6-4, 6-4
6. Brad Henderson (FGCU) def. Christian Smith (FTM) 7-5, 7-6
Doubles competition
1. Brenton Bacon/Alex Gjesten (FGCU) def. #4 Keith Kessler/Clifford Giel (FTM) 8-6
2. Alberto Gutierrez/Danny Lee (FGCU) def. Jonathan Hanna/Christian Smith (FTM) 8-1
3. Mikkel Muller/Edson Lima (FGCU) def. Christian Kieber/Joel Zahlan (FTM) 8-2
Match Notes:
Florida Tech 3-4; Regional ranking #8
Florida Gulf Coast Univ. 3-1; National ranking #13; Regional ranking #4
T-3:00 A-57
