Bowling Green, KY – The third-seed UC men's tennis team put up a tough fight but fell to second seed and seventh-ranked Cumberland 5-0 in the semifinals of the Mid-South Conference tournament Saturday afternoon at the WKU Tennis Court. With the win the Phoenix improve to 20-2, while the Patriots move to 8-11.

Patrick Oliveira and Yusuke Masuoksa traded points with Ramon Puertolas and Riccardo Ferraris before ultimately dropping the match 8-6, giving Cumberland a 1-0 lead.  The Phoenix added 9-7 wins at both #2 and #1 doubles to extend their lead to 3-0.

In singles play, Cumberland recorded at 6-2, 6-0 win at #4 singles, before Axel Lucich notched a 6-3, 6-1 win at #6 singles to clinch the match. 

Martin Barbier won the first set over seventh-ranked Pau Grabuleda Cruana before the match was halted.  Rodrigo Ratte was leading Thiago Lopes 6-5 in the first set. 

The Patriots will now await the NAIA selection show to find out if they advanced to the NAIA National Championships.  The qualifying teams will be announced on May 7 with the pairings announced on May 8.

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