VALDOSTA, Ga. – In a quality match between two ranked teams, the No. 15 Valdosta State men's tennis team turned back No. 23 North Georgia in the season-opener for both teams Sunday afternoon.
 
The Blazers battled back to win the doubles point in thrilling fashion.  Senior Yohan Nguyen and junior Florian Simbozel won at the top spot, 6-4, while UNG's Zach Waldo and Joaquin Benoit, downed freshmen Luca Mack and Edward Etty, 6-4.  At No. 3, VSU freshmen newcomers Christian Wedel and Cameron Trigolos battled back from a 5-2 deficit, for 7-6 win and the 11-9 victory in the tiebreaker to win the doubles point.
 
Heading to singles play with the Blazers leading 1-0, Wedel made quick work of Joaquin Benoit at No. 3, 6-4, 6-3, for a 2-0 lead.  UNG's Giulio Sassi won at No. 5 over Trigolos, 6-4, 6-1, for a 2-1 VSU lead.  From there, the Blazers turned up the heat on the Nighthawks.  Nguyen won at No. 1, 6-4, 6-2, while Mack clinched the match with a three-set, 7-5, 1-6, 6-2 victory at No. 4 for the 4-1 victory.
 
VSU continues at home with Flagler on Friday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m., followed by a home matchup with Keiser on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m.