Sumter, S.C. —- The 8th-ranked and top-seeded Catawba College men's tennis team advanced to the South Atlantic Conference Men's Tennis Tournament final for the third straight season on Friday when it defeated 41st-ranked and fifth-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne in the semifinal.

HOW IT HAPPENED

DOUBLES

- Mateo Berne and Alessandro Valletta cruised to a 6-0 win at the 3rd-ranked doubles spot

- Alen Bill and Santiago Passoni clinched the doubles point with a 6-2 victory at #2 doubles

SINGLES

- Passoni picked up a quick 6-2, 6-1 victory at second-ranked singles for his second win of the morning

- Agustin Mastri claimed a 6-3, 6-4 win at the top-ranked singles position

- Mateo Berne clinched the match with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph at #3 singles

- Valletta led 6-2, 4-2 at the sixth-ranked singles spot at the clinch point

UP NEXT

- Catawba advances to Saturday's final, looking to repeat as league tournament champions when it faces 19th-ranked and second-seeded Wingate at 9 a.m.