FLORENCE, S.C. – The No. 5-ranked Lander men's tennis team got straight-set victories from three of its singles players, including the clinching point from Philippe Courteau, to defeat Bluefield State 4-1 and advance to the semifinals of the City of Florence Invitational on Friday afternoon. 

Lander (2-0) will play for a chance to advance to the title match tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. against Mount Olive. The championship will be played at 2:00 p.m.

After the Bearcats claimed the doubles point by winning all three slots, Lander quickly seized control with Tommaso Rossin turning in a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 3 and Axel Cronje picking up a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 1. Leading 3-1, Courteau sent the Bearcats to the semifinals with a 6-2, 7-5 win at No. 6.