WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's men's tennis team took care of business in the semifinal of the Crossroads League tournament on Friday afternoon. The 17th-ranked Lancers (10-0) blanked Bethel 4-0 to advance to their fourth consecutive conference final. 

The match started at the Don Cramer Tennis Courts, but high winds and inclement weather forced the contest to be finished indoors at the Warsaw Racquet Club. The home team led the Pilots 2-0 before the teams headed indoors to finish the match.

Grace earned the first point of the day from doubles to gain the early momentum. Francisco Margaria and Artur Pons led the way at No. 3 doubles to claim their matchup 6-2. Javier Gallego and Facundo Paredes collected the clincher 6-2 to secure the first point up for grabs. Pablo Gregori and Salva Pons were not needed as the point was already on the board. 

Only one singles match was completed before play was delayed. Gallego tallied the second point of the match in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. 

As play resumed in dryer conditions, the Lancers continued to pull away. A win at No. 3 singles by Gregori put the team one point away from a return trip to the final. He came out ahead 6-1, 6-4, allowing Artur Pons to provide the all-important fourth point. The 6-3, 6-2 straight-set triumph at No. 5 singles sealed the deal to send the Lancers to the next round. 

The remaining three singles matches for Paredes, Margaria and Salva Pons were not completed as Grace had already clinched a spot in the final. 

Grace will look to go back-to-back and earn the automatic berth to the NAIA tennis championships. The 24-team tournament will be held in Alabama in the spring. 

Grace awaits its final round opponent as the other semifinal match between Huntington and Marian was suspended due to inclement weather. The winner-take-all match is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Don Cramer Tennis Courts. 


DOUBLES

Paredes/Gallego def. Bonsergent/Markovich, 6-2
Gregori/S. Pons vs. Flores/Marchetti, DNF
Margaria/A. Pons def. Jancic/Almeida, 6-2

SINGLES

Javier Gallego def. Bonsergent, 6-2, 6-4
Facundo Paredes vs. Markovich, DNF
Pablo Gregori def. Flores, 6-1, 6-4
Salva Pons vs. Marcheti, DNF
Artur Pons def. Andrade, 6-3, 6-2
Francisco Margaria vs. Jancic, DNF