GREENWOOD – The No. 5-ranked and third-seeded Lander men's tennis team begins its quest for the Peach Belt Conference tournament championship on Friday afternoon, as the Bearcats face in-state rival and sixth-seeded USC Aiken in the quarterfinals of the PBC tournament at 1:00 p.m., at the Dr. Eddie Floyd/Florence Tennis Center.
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STORYLINES
• Lander (15-4, 8-2 PBC) is participating in its 26th Peach Belt Conference tournament. The Bearcats have never missed the PBC tournament, owning a 25-16 all-time record since the tournament went to a head-to-head format in 2000. Lander is searching for its 12th tournament championship in program history (11 consecutive titles from 1992-2002).
• The Bearcat have recorded 15 or more wins for the eighth consecutive season and the 11th time in the past 12 years.
• Lander is meeting USC Aiken in the PBC tournament for the fifth time. The Bearcats hold a 3-1 lead over the Pacers in PBC tournament play. The two last met in the tournament in 2013, when Lander topped USC Aiken, 5-1, in the quarterfinals.
• The Bearcats have been ranked in the top-five of every Oracle/ITA Division II Men's National Team Rankings this season.
• Sophomore Eirik Groner was chosen as the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week last week.
• Lander went 10-0 at home this season, extending its winning streak to 18 consecutive matches at the Joe Cabri Tennis Center.
• The Bearcats are looking to snap a two-game losing streak against conference opponents. Lander has not dropped three consecutive matches against PBC opponents since 2011.
