Bradenton, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference Championship is a match the Lynn University men's tennis team knows all too well in recent history, with the trophy just out of reach. The eighth-ranked and third-seeded Fighting Knights are runners-up at the tournament for the sixth consecutive year following a 5-1 setback to second-ranked and top-seeded Barry University on Saturday morning.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Barry 5, Lynn 1
Records: #2 Barry (21-1), #8 Lynn (19-5)
Location: IMG Academy | Bradenton, Fla.
All-time Series: Barry leads 31-27
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- All three doubles contests were decided by 8-6 tallies, with the Bucs taking a 2-1 lead into singles.
- Tristan Houle and Jean-Baptiste Mateo struck first, recording the 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.
- Barry's double dose of ranked duos at the top flights were a tall task as the Bucs gained the edge with wins at one and two doubles from the fourth- and 25th-ranked tandems in the country.
- In singles, Barry's depth proved daunting as the Bucs put Lynn up against the wall with straight-set wins at No. 5 and No. 6.
- At the top flight, Barry's second-ranked Ahmed Triki secured his revenge on Lynn's sixth-ranked Mehdi Laalej – who posted an upset in the regular season a couple weeks back – as the senior clinched the championship for his team with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Lynn made it to last year's title match following an upset over Barry in the semifinals.
- Following a championship win in 2011, the Fighting Knights have taken silver every year since.
- Mateo remains undefeated in singles this season at 23-0.
- It is Barry's 13th league tournament championship.
UP NEXT:
Lynn now waits for the announcement of the NCAA Division II Tournament regional draw. The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 and can be accessed on NCAA.com.
