DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's tennis battled back from a 4-2 deficit to edge Southern Virginia University 5-4 in USA South Conference action Tuesday afternoon at the Averett Tennis Courts. 

The outcome of the match came down to the last court in action at No. 6 singles. Averett freshman Martinho Goncalves held off Southern Virginia's Marlo Perez-Urrutia 6-4, 6-4. 

Averett (11-4, 5-1 USA South) led Southern Virginia (4-5, 3-2 USA South) 2-1 after doubles play. The Cougars' duo of Goncalves and sophomore Rufus Nurminen teamed up for an 8-6 win at No. 1 doubles. Junior Jorge Figueroa and freshman Shori Nishizoe outlasted the Knights' No. 3 doubles team 8-7 (9-7). 

Southern Virginia, however, gained momentum by winning the top three singles matches to surge ahead 4-2. Averett had to win its final three singles matches to pull out the win. Freshman Jay Trip did his part, winning at No. 4 in straight sets. Nishizoe then held off his opponent at No. 5 singles, leaving Goncalves in the spotlight.   

Goncalves came through in a tight, back-and-forth battle to win and end the match that lasted nearly six hours. 

Averett finishes the regular season in a key battle at Methodist on Saturday.