Mobile, AL – The #14 Patriots men's tennis team was leading every match when play was halted, however did post a 4-0 win over #17 St. Thomas in the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Mobile Tennis Center.  With the win the Patriots improve to 18-3 on the season and advance to the round of 16 on Wednesday.

The Patriots got off to a fast start as Martin Barbier and Eric Banoub notched a 6-1 win over Lucas Ribas and Sebastian Bunster at #1 doubles.  The duo improves to 18-3 on the season at the top spot.  Martin Muller and Robert Wu Hung-Ju notched a 6-3 win at #3 doubles to clinch the doubles point and give UC a 1-0 lead.  The Patriots were leading #2 doubles 4-3 when play was halted.

In singles, Mattis Le Montagner tallied a 6-2, 6-1 win at #4 singles to extend the lead to 2-0.  Le Montagner improves to 18-2 on the season.  Muller followed with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Robin Calasis at #2 singles making the match 3-0 in favor of the Patriots.

Clinching the match for UC was Banoub at #5 singles.  The junior tallied a 6-4, 6-4 win at #5 singles to secure the Patriots win and improve to 14-5 on the season.

Barbier and Luis Montull both dropped their first sets, however, rallied in the second set to force a decisive third set.  Both players were leading in the third set when play was halted.  Hung-Ju recorded a 7-5 first set win at #6 singles and play was halted during the second set.

This marks the Patriots first win at the national tournament since 2016 when they defeated Reinhardt 5-3.

The Patriots will return to the court Wednesday, May 19, when they face fourth-seed Tennessee Wesleyan in the round of 16.  That match is slated for 2 p.m. EST at the Mobile Tennis Center.

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