Men’s tennis falls in first round

Brady Fitch photo Mario Martinez stares down his opponent during his match.

The 19-7 Troy men’s tennis team had an early exit from the Sun Belt Conference as they were defeated 4-1 by Georgia State.

The sixth-seeded Trojans got an early lead in doubles from seniors Carles Anton and Benjamin Ambrosio 6-4 on court three but eventually lost the doubles point due to 7-5 and 7-6 (7-4) losses in the other doubles matches.

Team captain Anton provided the Trojans with their only point in the contest by winning his final collegiate match 6-4, 6-1. Anton’s eighty-nine career wins is the most in program history and his final Troy career record sits at an impressive 89-38.

The third-seeded Panthers secured the next three singles matches to finalize the score at 4-1.

Although this wasn’t the result the Trojans were hoping for, sophomore standout Mario Martinez Serrano’s second-consecutive nomination as Sun Belt Player to Watch highlights the bright future for the program.

The Sun Belt Player to Watch award is given to the player with the second-most votes for Sun Belt Player of the Year and at least one more year of eligibility.

Martinez was also nominated to the All-Sun Belt First Team in singles due to his incredible 23-2 record and two ranked victories this season.

Anton and sophomore Yeray Andres Pastor were both nominated to the All-Sun Belt Second Team in doubles thanks to their 10-1 record as a pairing and 6-1 record in Sun Belt Conference play.