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HOME OF THE LANDER UNIVERSITY BEARCATS #CLAWSUP
2
Georgia College GCSUM (13-6)
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Winner Lander University LUMT25 (12-6)
Georgia College GCSUM
(13-6)
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Final
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Lander University LUMT25
(12-6)
Winner
MTEN vs Newberry
Hailey Franklin

Match Recap: Men's Tennis | | Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Bearcats Overcome Early Deficit to Advance to PBC Semis

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The No. 25 nationally ranked and No. 4 seeded Lander Bearcats clawed their way to a thrilling 4-2 victory over No. 31 Georgia College & State University in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals Friday morning at the John W. Walden Tennis Center.

After dropping the doubles point, Lander (12-6) showed grit and determination in singles play to mount a comeback and secure the win. Brendan Jayaprakash sealed the match with a dramatic three-set victory at No. 6 singles, propelling the Bearcats into the semifinals.

Doubles Recap

The Bobcats (13-6) struck first in doubles by winning two of the three courts. GCSU's Chase Martin and Rodrigo Perez Crespo edged Lander's Brendan Jayaprakash and Harry Pugh, 7-5, at the top spot. 

On court two, Luka Sauer Jimenez and Noe Villen added another win for GCSU with a 6-4 decision over Merlin Bellet and Ludvig Danielsson. Lander's lone doubles win came at the No. 3 position, where Markus Sorensen and Max Barriere defeated Gabe Cizek and Thomas Brewer, 6-3. The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead heading into singles.

Singles Recap 

Lander responded emphatically in singles play. At No. 1, Harry Pugh set the tone with a straight-sets win over Martin, 6-2, 7-5. 

Sorensen followed with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 performance over Sauer Jimenez at No. 3, and Mouad Naoui added another point for the Bearcats by downing Villen, 6-3, 6-4 on court four. 

Georgia College's only singles point came at No. 2, where Perez Crespo took down Bellet, 6-4, 6-4.

With the match still hanging in the balance, Jayaprakash delivered under pressure. After dropping the first set 4-6 to Brewer at No. 6 singles, he rallied to win the next two, 6-3, 6-4, to clinch the match for Lander. Court five was left unfinished, with Ismail ElShafei leading the final set.

UP NEXT
Lander advances to the Peach Belt Conference semifinals, where the Bearcats will take on the No. 4 nationally ranked and top-seeded Flagler Saints. The first serve is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, in Columbus.
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