WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's men's tennis team made it back-to-back trips to the Crossroads League Tournament championship with a 5-4 win over Marian in the semifinals on Thursday.

The Lancers (9-2) will hope to avenge last year's championship defeat to Spring Arbor when they welcome the Cougars to Miller Field on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The winner of the title bout will earn a trip to the NAIA National Championships in Mobile, Ala., from May 14-18.

The Lancers earned a major advantage in the semifinal clash by taking all three doubles matches from the Knights (11-4).

Michael Blevins and Nikola Todorovic produced a clutch 9-8 win at No. 1 doubles, Daniel Sanchez and Aaron Blevins won 8-6 at No. 2 doubles, and Michael Humphrey and Jack Wang completed the sweep with an 8-3 victory at No. 3 doubles.

Grace needed to win just two of the six singles competitions to clinch the match and did so with Sanchez and Humphrey.

Sanchez eased by his opponent at No. 1 singles 6-3, 6-2, and Humphrey got revenge from a regular-season defeat to Marian with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles.

Michael Blevins and Todorovic both defaulted in the midst of their singles matches after Grace had secured the semifinal victory.

“This was a great win, but it's just step two in the tournament. None of us are satisfied,” said Grace head coach Larry Schuh. The boys are hungry and ready for the championship match. The guys are excited, but they are also hungry. They're ready.”

The Lancers were the co-regular season champions of the Crossroads League after tying with Indiana Wesleyan. Grace's regular season title was its first in 23 years.

SINGLES COMPETITION
1. Daniel Sanchez won 6-3, 6-2
2. Michael Blevins lost 6-4, 5-7, 4-2 (def.)
3. Nikola Todorovic lost 6-2, 5-2 (def.)
4. Aaron Blevins lost 6-4, 7-5
5. Michael Humphrey won 6-4, 6-2
6. Jack Wang lost 6-4, 6-3

DOUBLES COMPETITION
1. Michael Blevins/Nikola Todorovic won 9-8
2. Aaron Blevins/Daniel Sanchez won 8-6
3. Michael Humphrey/Jack Wang won 8-3