Courtesy: Cumberlands Sports Information
 

MOBILE, Ala. – For the first time since 2003, the UC Men's Tennis team has advanced to the Quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championships after taking down #4 seed Our Lady of the Lake (Texas.) 4-3 on Wednesday afternoon. The 13th-seeded Patriots fell behind 3-0 before winning four straight matches to secure the win.  

Our Lady of the Lake grabbed an early 1-0 lead after taking the first two doubles matches at the #1 and #3 spots to clinch the point.  

The Saints kept their momentum going with a pair of singles wins at the first two spots to take a 3-0 advantage.  

UC was not rattled as Gabriele Solda earned the first win of the day, defeating Joao Santos 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 at #4 singles to put UC on the board, 3-1.  

At #5 singles, Pierluigi Cruypenninck followed with a hard-fought victory in three sets over Matis Nuziere. The senior dropped the first set 2-6 before winning the next two 6-3, 6-1 to cut the deficit to 3-2.   

Darius Kuster evened the score at 3-3 with a 6-4, 7-5 straight-set victory against Luis Hernandez.  

It all came down to Luis Marcos at #3 singles and he did not disappoint. Marcos defeated Aymeric Bruno 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to secure the win for the Pats.  

Cumberlands advances to the Quarterfinals of the NAIA Men's Tennis National Championship and will matchup with #5 seed Southeastern (Fla.) at 1 p.m. ET from the Mobile Tennis Center.