LIMA, Ohio - Grace's men's tennis team earned win No. 20 on the season in dramatic fashion on Friday.
The NAIA No. 19-ranked Lancers rallied from behind to upset No. 17 Northwestern Ohio. Grace now boasts seven wins against teams who were ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 this season.
The Lancers have already shattered the program record for wins in a season, improving their ledger to 20-5.
Grace had to battle from behind the entire afternoon against the Racers (6-2). UNOH claimed the doubles' points, quickly winning at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles.
Pavle Popovic had the only straight sets win during singles' play for the Lancers, claiming a 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 6.
Fabricio Galvan pulled out a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 win at No. 4, and Max Rozas battled to a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 victory at No. 1. Those three-set wins simply set the stage for the decisive court at No. 3 singles.
Facundo Paredes did the near unthinkable to clinch the match for Grace. The freshman split the first two sets at No. 3 singles 4-6 and 6-4. Paredes found himself behind 5-1 in the decisive third set but bravely battled back to send the match to a tiebreaker; Paredes won the tiebreak to clinch the upset win for Grace.
The Lancers will have a few more tournaments this spring. Dates and opponents will be determined.
DOUBLES
1. Popovic/Corty lost to Conde/Salazar 3-6
2. Rozas/Galvan did not finish
3. Paredes/Antinori lost to Omarkhanov/Aguavives 3-6
SINGLES
1. Rozas def. Conde 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
2. Sandi lost to Salazar 1-6, 1-6
3. Paredes def. Omarkhanov 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3)
4. Galvan def. Barcelo 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
5. Candia lost to De Vilar 3-6, 4-6
6. Popovic def. Aguavives 6-4, 6-3