Tampa, Fla. – The ninth-ranked and third-seeded Lynn University men's tennis team grinded out a 5-3 victory late into the evening Friday over seventh-ranked and second-seeded Barry University in the Sunshine State Conference semifinals.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lynn 5, Barry 3
Records: #9 Lynn (16-6), #7 Barry (13-6)
Location: HCC Tennis Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Barry leads 29-27
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lynn's second and third doubles flights posted key victories to build a 2-1 lead over Barry.
• Mehdi Laalej and Jose Porfirio Ordonez took the No. 3 matchup, 8-3, before Daniel Riggs and Jean-Baptiste Mateo triumphed at No. 2, 8-4.
• Pavel Mojha and Ethan Itzkovitz hung tough at the top flight against Barry's sixth-ranked Ahmed Triki and Renato Lombardi but fell short, 6-8. 
• The Blue & White saw its edge quickly slip away in singles as the Bucs secured the first and fifth flights to jump in front. 
• Porfirio Ordonez tied it back up with a straight-set victory at No. 6 (7-5, 6-4) but the Blue & White was in trouble as they lost the first set at two, three and four singles.
• All three Fighting Knights bounced back valiantly and dominated their respective second sets to send the match down to the wire.
• 50^th-ranked Laalej came through first, rallying from behind late in the final frame to upset 26^th-ranked Nico Dreer at No. 2 (3-6, 6-0, 7-5).
• Mojha and Mateo each formed comfortable cushions late in the third set in a race to secure the final point. 28^th-ranked Mojha would end up clinching with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 triumph over 27^th-ranked Fabian Pronnet at No. 3.
• The fourth flight was halted with Mateo in the lead, 5-7, 6-4, 5-2.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• It was a memorable win for Mojha, the only four-year senior on the squad, who brought home the deciding point to help Lynn beat Barry for the first time during his tenure. Coming into today, Barry had won the last nine matchups dating back to 2012.
• Barry is the defending SSC and National Champions.

UP NEXT:
Lynn returns to the courts tomorrow, Saturday, April 30 for the SSC title match at 2 p.m. against the nation's No. 1 team, Saint Leo.