5-8-16

SAVANNAH, Ga. | The No. 22 University of North Georgia men’s tennis team pulled off a dramatic 5-3 upset of 11th-ranked Georgia College on Sunday afternoon in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional held at Bacon Park in Savannah. The NCAA Tournament victory is the first in program history as the Nighthawks are making their fourth apperance in the past five seaons.

The fifth-seeded Nighthawks will now face top-seeded and second-ranked Armstrong State tomorrow (May 9) at 10:00 a.m. with the winner advancing to the Round of 16 in Denver, Colo., at the NCAA Division II Spring Sports Festival on May 18-21.

GC edged the Nighthawks twice during the season, winning a tight 5-4 match on March 9 in Milledgeville and a 5-2 decision at the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on April 23.

North Georgia got off to a fast start winning two of three doubles matches, but GC was able to even the score back up at two apiece with a win at No. 5 singles.

The remaining five matches would all come down to decisive third sets. UNG’s Hugues Renald (No. 4) and Alexander Reinauer (No. 3) would add points for the Nighthawks while GC’s Yannick Hass, ranked 30th nationally, would hold off 35th-ranked Philipp Mueller to set the stage for the dramatic finish.

UNG’s Andre Canino would eventually send the Nighthawks to the round of 32 as he rallied from a set down to defeat Vincent Castermans 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the sixth singles line.

The final match at No. 2 singles was also in a third set, but would not be finished.

RESULTS: No. 22 North Georgia 5, No. 11 Georgia College 3

Singles
1. #30 Yannick Hass (GC-M) def. #35 Philipp Mueller (UNG) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
2. Jannik Kumbier (GC-M) vs. Niklas Zielen (UNG) 7-5, 2-6, 2-3, unfinished
3. Alexander Reinauer (UNG) def. Taylor Powell (GC-M) 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-1)
4. Hugues Renald (UNG) def. Christian Graff (GC-M) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
5. Pedro Ecenarro (GC-M) def. Lukas Moritzen (UNG) 6-0, 6-1
6. Andre Canino (UNG) def. Vincent Castermans (GC-M) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2

Doubles
1. #4 Yannick Hass/Christian Graff (GC-M) def. Philipp Mueller/Niklas Zielen (UNG) 9-8
2. Andre Canino/Lukas Moritzen (UNG) def. Jannik Kumbier/Taylor Powell (GC-M) 8-6
3. Alexander Reinauer/Joe Klokow (UNG) def. Vincent Castermans/Pedro Ecenarro (GC-M) 8-4

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