ATHENS, Ga. –   The South Carolina State men's tennis dropped a close 4-1 decision to nationally-ranked No. 48 Georgia in a non-conference matchup at the Lindsay Hopkins Indoor Tennis Facility.
 
South Carolina State falls to 4-5 on the season, while Georgia improves to 6-6, 1-2 in the SEC.
 
SCSU performed well against the national powerhouse winning the doubles match at the No. 2 spot before dropping a close 7-5 decision.
 
In singles action at the No. 6 spot Ivan Pauliuchenka (SCSU) def. Parker Mariencheck (UGA) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, while SC State were up in points at the No. 2 and No. 4 spot before the match was called.
 
Georgia claimed wins at the No.1, No.3 and No. 5 spots to secure the win.
 
"Our team represented SCSU very well this evening and we battled one of the best programs in the country from start to finish, said SC State head coach Hardeep Judge". "The doubles point was closely contested. After we lost by a break at number three doubles, we evened it back up by winning number two doubles 6-4."
 
"Then doubles point came down to number 1 doubles and we unfortunately could not capitalize on several break points at 4-4 and ended up losing 7-5, after battling Georgia on courts 1 through 6 in singles, "said Judge.
 
MATCH SUMMARY

• No.1 spot: Novak Novakovic posted set point on serve in the tiebreak to take into the third set but came up short 8-6.
• No. 2 spot:  Mikalia Bankou was up in his match in the third set. (DNF)
• No. 3 spot: Aissa Benchakroun was serving for the first set at 5-4 and loss at deuce.
• No. 4 spot: Benjamin Niv was in the third set. (DNF)
• No. 5 spot: Gabriel Johnson played very well in a close two set loss.
• No. 6 spot Ivan Pauliuchenka won 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 match in the third set.

 Judge continued, "We played a great program in an incredible venue and atmosphere and just came up short in a competitively contested match. Georgia also played an incredible match. We learned a great deal from this match, and it will give us the confidence to work even harder to compete and win against National Championship teams."
 
NEXT UP: South Carolina State will host Francis Marion Sunday (March 10) in a non-conference battle at the Hardeep Judge Tennis Center. First serve is 1 p.m.

No. 48 Georgia 4, South Carolina State 1
Doubles competition - Georgia Wins Point
1. Freddy Blaydes/Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Aissa Benchakroun/Benjamin Niv (SCSU) 7-5*
2. Novak Novakovic/Mikalai Bankou (SCSU) def. Filipe Costa/Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) 6-5
3. Parker Jacques/Davis Taylor (UGA) def. Gabriel Johnson/Ivan Pauliuchenka (SCSU) 6-3
Order of finish: 3, 2, 1*

Singles competition
1. No. 100 Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) def. Novak Novakovic (SCSU) 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) 
2. Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) vs. Mikalai Bankou (SCSU) 4-6, 6-1, 1-2, unfinished 
3. Freddy Blaydes (UGA) def. Aissa Benchakroun (SCSU) 7-5, 6-2*
4. Filipe Costa (UGA) vs. Benjamin Niv (SCSU) 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, unfinished
5. Parker Jacques (UGA) def. Gabriel Johnson (SCSU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Ivan Pauliuchenka (SCSU) def. Parker Mariencheck (UGA) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
Order of finish: 5, 1, 6, 3*

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