ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Barry University's men's tennis team secured a date in the NCAA Division II semifinals after beating Drury, 5-1, in the quarterfinals Wednesday at Sanlando Park.
The No. 2 Buccaneers won the first two doubles matches, and picked up the first three points in singles to wrap it up.
"I think we're playing better and better as the matches go on," Barry 26-year coach George Samuel said. "The closer it gets, the more exciting things have become. They've worked hard all year, so hopefully it all comes together in this next match."
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Barry 5, Drury 1
Records: Barry 25-1, Drury 21-4
SUMMARY:
- Barry's Ahmed Triki and Pierre Montrieul, the No. 2-ranked doubles team in the nation, put the first point on the board when they beat No. 9 Sebastien Amato and Maximilian Hepp, 8-6, at the top position.
- Barry's No. 25-ranked Carlos Gomez and Vivien Versier won by the same score at No. 2 doubles in their match with Sacha Mourier and Nico Sigloch to put the Bucs ahead 2-0.
- The Panthers cut the gap to 2-1 with a win at No. 3 doubles.
- Gomez coasted to a 6-0, 6-1 No. 3 singles victory over Nico Hadeler to give Barry a 3-1 lead.
- Montrieul moved the Bucs within a point of clinching when he defeated Amato, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2 singles.
- Nico Dreer clinched the victory when he beat Paul Porcher, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 4 singles.
- Triki, Fabian Pronnet and Versier each won their first set, and were leading in the second set when the match ended.
NOTEWORTHY:
- Triki surpassed Ollie Lemaitre for the school career doubles wins record. Triki has 83 pairs victories in his four years at Barry.
- Triki's .865 career doubles winning percentage ranks first in school history.
- Dreer moved within one singles victory of tying Christian Witt for the most in a season at Barry. Witt had 22 singles wins in 2000.
- The Buccaneers have advanced to the semifinals the last five times the NCAA Championships have been held at Sanlando.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
"I think the guys are getting more and more excited with each round, playing with more confidence."
-- Bucs coach George Samuel
ON THE HORIZON:
Barry will play No. 3 Columbus State 1 p.m. Thursday in the NCAA semifinals at Sanlando Park.
BOX SCORE
NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET