Score: No. 3 Keiser Seahawks 3, No. 2 Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs 4
Records: No. 3 Keiser (18-2), No. 2 Tennessee Wesleyan (22-2)
Venue: Mobile Tennis Center
Location: Mobile, Ala.
No. 3 Keiser men's tennis fell to No. 2 Tennessee Wesleyan 4-3 in the NAIA National Tournament semifinals on Thursday at Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala., ending the Seahawks' season at 18-2. Keiser swept the doubles point, winning all three courts to take a 1-0 lead into singles play, but the Bulldogs rallied to take four of six singles matches and advance to the national championship.
- No. 10 Didrik Liljekvist and Matthew Dubas started the scoring on court one, dispatching No. 29 Lucas Grana and Lucas Perez 6-2
- Oliver King and Andrew Reznik clinched the doubles point for Keiser on court two, knocking off Agustin Gaia and Mario Monclus 6-4
- With the final point already started at the time of the clinch, No. 5 Heber Santos and Shaheed Alam capped a doubles sweep on court three, defeating David Leon and Serafin Zund 6-2
- Tennessee Wesleyan drew first blood in singles on court five, where Asier Pascual handled No. 53 King 6-1, 6-1 to level the overall match at 1-1
- No. 9 Liljekvist answered for Keiser on court one, topping No. 45 Lucas Grana 6-2, 6-4 to put the Seahawks back in front 2-1
- Russo evened it on court four, cruising past Dubas 6-3, 6-3
- No. 72 Felipe Rivadeneira delivered a clutch three-set victory on court six, rallying past David Leon 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 to put Keiser back in front 3-2
- No. 26 Zund battled back to defeat No. 1 Alam on court two, taking the three-set affair 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 to knot the overall match at 3-3 and set the stage for a decisive court three
- Chanon Phunsawat clinched the match for Tennessee Wesleyan on court three, defeating Andrej Krajcik 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2
When asked about today's result, Head Coach
Ali Borhani had this to say: "Never easy coming into nationals with multiple injuries and players battling illness, but I'm really proud of how everyone stepped up and competed. Tough day for the lads today, especially the seniors. I truly felt like we outplayed them, and it's unfortunate that a few unlucky breaks and calls ended up deciding a 3.5-hour battle.
A huge thank you to Kris Swogger for giving me this opportunity, and to Coach Finn for showing me the ropes. I'm incredibly thankful for how quickly these boys welcomed me in and allowed me to be part of this team. Although it didn't end the way we wanted, the brotherhood these guys built will last a lifetime. KU! Birds up!"
