AASU Headed To Houston After 5-2 Win Over GCSU

SAVANNAH, Ga. (May 9) – The top-ranked and undefeated Armstrong Atlantic State men's tennis team will head to Houston with an eye on the school's first-ever NCAA DII Men's Tennis National Championship after completing a 5-2 victory over No. 14-ranked GCSU on Friday afternoon, earning the Pirates a berth in the Round of 16.

The Pirates (27-0) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead by capturing all three doubles matches. The sixth-ranked duo of Rafael Array and Tim Johannsen picked up an 8-4 victory over the 12th-ranked duo of Erick Siqueira and Francis Yoshimoto at No. 1 doubles. Christian Bergh and Robert Jendelund defeated Matthew Belenchia and Joao Casagrande at No. 2 doubles, 8-2, while Paul Bishop and Davor Zink knocked off Max Beliankou and Giovane Nucci, 8-2, at No. 3 doubles.

Singles play saw Zink jump out to a quick 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 6 singles, but GCSU fought back to take two matches as Yoshimoto collected a 6-3, 6-4 win over Jendelund at No. 2 singles and Casagrande notched a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 5 singles before Array clinched the match for the Pirates with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Nucci at No. 4 singles - just like the freshman did in the PBC Championship match on the same court against the Bobcats just two weeks ago. The Pirates now head to Texas, where AASU will face Abilene Christian in opening round action on Wednesday, May 14, at Homer Ford Park at 4:00 p.m. in Houston.