SPRING ARBOR, Mich. - With a hard-fought 5-4 upset of Spring Arbor on Thursday, Grace's men's tennis team finds itself one win away from the 2013 NCCAA National Championships.
The Lancers will play at Indiana Wesleyan on Friday at noon in the NCCAA Midwest Regional Championship.
Aaron Blevins earned two points to pace the Lancers (16-3).
Grace won two of three doubles points to claim an early advantage over the Cougars.
The Blevins's brothers (Aaron and Michael) won 8-3 at No. 1 doubles, and Daniel Sanchez and Ethan Grove pulled out a 9-8 victory at No. 2 doubles.
Aaron Blevins continued his winning ways with a 6-2, 7-5 win at No. 3 singles, and Michael Humphrey eased away for a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles.
Grace needed just one more point to advance past the regional semifinals, and the team found it through freshman Ricardo Bedon. Bedon split the first two sets with his opponent at No. 6 singles 6-3 and 3-6 before digging deep to win 6-2 in the decisive third set.
The 2013 NCCAA National Championships for men's tennis will be held May 7-10 in Mobile, Ala.
SINGLES COMPETITION
1. Daniel Sanchez lost 6-4, 7-5
2. Michael Blevins lost 6-4, 6-2
3. Aaron Blevins won 6-2, 7-5
4. Jack Wang lost 6-2, 6-2
5. Michael Humphrey won 6-3, 6-2
6. Ricardo Bedon won 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
DOUBLES COMPETITION
1. Michael Blevins/Aaron Blevins won 8-3
2. Daniel Sanchez/Ethan Grove won 9-8
3. Michael Humphrey/Jack Wang lost 8-4