A Gritty Match, But Pirates Prevail 5-2

It was everything you would expect from two of the top three teams in the nation, but the Armstrong Atlantic men's tennis team prevailed, 5-2, over No. 3 Lynn after singles play.

Lynn took the first set in four of the six matches, however, to set up high drama at the end. Rafael Array, at No. 4 singles, blistered Miloslav Navratil, 6-1, 6-0, to put the Pirates up, 3-1, but Lynn's Tomas Racak defeated Paul Bishop, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 2 singles to make it 3-2. With four courts all in action, a turn of events favored AASU at No. 3 singles, where Alessandro Sarra - who took the first set, 6-1 - started to experience cramps and was clearly hobbled as Mikk Irdoja closed out the three-set win, 6-1, 6-1. Sarra could have easily retired, but my hat's off to his effort as he willed himself to stay out on the court and finish the match.

The fifth point came down to No. 6 singles, where Tim Johannsen won a first-set tiebreak over Alex Voirin, then took the second set in a 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory to clinch AASU's berth into the semifinals.

Next up for the Pirates - Hawaii Pacific at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Now, the women take the court against California (Pa.) !