Saint Leo, Fla. – For the third time this season, Lynn University's men's tennis team bested a tough Embry-Riddle squad in a tight contest. On Monday, the fifth-ranked and third-seeded Fighting Knights took down the 21st-ranked and sixth-seeded Eagles in the first round of the NCAA South Region II bracket, 5-1.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lynn 5, ERAU 1
Records: #5 Lynn (16-6), #21 ERAU (12-10)
Location: Saint Leo Tennis Center | Saint Leo, Fla.
All-Time Series: Lynn leads 16-5
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The top two doubles contests were tight, but an early win at No. 3 allowed Lynn to garner a 2-1 advantage.
- Gabriel Hocevar and Tristan Houle opened up the scoring with an 8-4 victory at the third flight.
- A 9-7 triumph at No. 2 doubles from Jean-Baptiste Mateo and Jose Porfirio Ordonez put Lynn up 2-0 but the Eagles fired back at No. 1 doubles in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (7-3).
- The Fighting Knights controlled singles play and three straight-set wins sealed the deal.
- At the end of the lineup, Hocevar (6-1, 6-0) and Porfirio Ordonez (6-3, 6-2) picked up singles wins at the fifth and sixth flights, respectively.
- After a close opening set at No. 3, Florian Clemares clinched the match for the Blue and White with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 win.
- Houle was nearing in on victory at No. 4 (6-2, 4-3) while 11th-ranked Mateo and No. 28 Juan Ortiz Couder split sets at the top position.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Lynn earned the No. 3 seed in the South Region with ERAU taking the No. 6 seed. Saint Leo claimed the No. 2 seed and is serving as host of the South Region #2 bracket. Top-seeded Barry is hosting the South Region #1 bracket.
- Lynn and ERAU met three times this season with the Fighting Knights winning in the regular season (6-3), in the SSC Tournament Third Place match (5-3) and in the South Regional semifinals (5-1).
- The Blue and White have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 16 consecutive seasons, but are looking for their first trip back to nationals since 2012.
- Lynn will face Saint Leo in the South Region II Championship.
- The winner of tomorrow's regional final will advance to the NCAA National Championships in Surprise, Ariz.
UP NEXT:
Lynn and Saint Leo hit the courts tomorrow morning, May 1, at 10 a.m. in the South Region II Championship.
