Grace Men’s Tennis upsets Patriots in NAIA opener
MOBILE, Ala. – Grace’s men’s tennis team began the 2024 NAIA National Championships with an impressive opener.
The Lancers took down No. 15 Cumberlands (Ky.) 4-1 in the NAIA First Round on Tuesday.
The win moves Grace to the final 16 where the Lancers will square off with No. 3 Keiser on Wednesday. The morning match is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. (Central).
The Lancers improved their record to 22-5, signifying the most victories currently in the NAIA. They have won their past eight matches, having not tasted defeat since March 8.
Tuesday’s match was delayed by a few hours due to early-morning rain in Alabama. But Grace wasted little time finding its rhythm once the match began.
The teams each won a doubles’ court to start the day with Javier Gallego and Manuel Marques winning 6-2 at No. 2. Salva Pons and Pablo Gregori then secured the doubles’ point with a momentum-building 7-5 win at the top doubles’ court.
The Patriots evened the score with a quick win at No. 6 singles, but Gallego put the Lancers ahead again with a 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 1.
Salva Pons earned a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3 victory at No. 3 singles, and Gregori followed by grinding out a 6-2, 6-7, 6-1 win at No. 2 to secure Grace’s victory.
Grace is enjoying its second consecutive appearance at the NAIA tournament under head coach Andy Lewis.