HICKORY, N.C. – The No. 33 Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Tennis Team earned the best win in program history when they defeated No. 5 Wingate by a final score of 4-3 in a dramatic contest at the YMCA of Catawba Valley on Wednesday afternoon. The Bears had never beat a top five team in the nation prior to today's victory and handed Wingate it's first conference loss of the season.

GAME VITALS
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 4, Wingate 3
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (16-3, 7-2 SAC) | Wingate (14-1, 8-1 SAC)

COACHES TAKE
 
"What a performance from the guys today," said Head Coach Tom Rees. "They played with unbelievable heart and courage. What a great day to be a Bear."

HOW IT HAPPENED

LR grabbed the early advantage by winning the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead. In first doubles, Mauricio Hernandez and Shane O'Dea earned a 6-4 win which was followed up by a 7-5 win in the second spot by the duo of Rhodri Atkinson and Paul Lenz. 

Tales Miranda opened up singles play with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 win in first singles to give LR a 2-0 advantage. Wingate would draw even with wins in the second and fifth spots but LR wouldn't give up. Atkinson's impressive straight set victory in third singles drew LR within one win of the clincher. However, a win in the fourth number spot evened the contest and left it up to the sixth spot. Fortunately for LR, Lewis Scott was up to the task and erased an early 1-0 deficit to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win to clinch it for the Bears.

UP NEXT

The Bears have little time to rest as they are back in action tomorrow against Anderson starting at noon. The match will be Senior Day for the Bears with a ceremony starting at 10:15 a.m.