Bulldog Men's Tennis Beats Drury To Advance To D2 Midwest Region Final!

Postmatch Interview & Highlights 
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Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's tennis squad moved into the NCAA Division II Midwest Region final with a hard-fought 4-1 win over Drury (Mo.) in the opening round of the tournament on Monday (May 11) at the Big Rapids High School courts.

With the win, the Bulldogs will next face the winner of the second regional semifinal between Wayne State and Northwood on Tuesday starting at 10 a.m. (ET).

The Bulldogs opened up the tournament with a big win, taking the doubles point and capturing three of the first four singles decisions. All six singles matches were completed or midst a third set when the decision was finalized.

In the doubles round, the Bulldogs got a 6-3 win from the pairing of Adrian Catahan and Erik Kovacs at the top flight. The number three group of Kacper Pasielak and Milo Leuenberger claimed a 7-5 win for FSU as well.

The Bulldogs started off singles play with a victory from Praneel Pichika by a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 score at the fourth spot in the lineup.

Drury then got its lone finished win of the day when Marco Romano battled back for a 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Felipe Iser at the third position.

However, Ferris State responded as Erik Kovacs captured a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Oscar Reis at the sixth flight.

Finally, the Bulldogs' Jose Andres Perez Alarcon came up with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 triumph at the second flight in the lineup to clinch the win.

FSU's Kevin Kovacs was battling in the third set at one singles with Adrian Catahan midst a close match coming to the finish at five singles when play was stopped.

Tuesday's regional final match is tentatively slated to be played outdoors at Big Rapids High School if weather permits or could potentially be moved indoors to the FSU Racquet and Fitness Center.

The winner of Tuesday's regional final will advance to the D2 Sweet Sixteen set for May 19-24 in Surprise, Ariz.