SAINT LEO, Fla. – The No.44-ranked Saint Leo men’s tennis team (9-3) won its eighth consecutive match as they turned back No.35 Rockhurst University (6-1), 7-2, Thursday evening from the Saint Leo Tennis Center.

The Lions began their day by taking two-of-three doubles matches, including a contest over one of Hawks two nationally ranked doubles teams. On the singles side, the Lions saw wins in all but one spot as they claimed the upset win.

In doubles, Pablo Chavez and Tom Gleeson began the match by bouncing the duo Guato Mariotti and Pawel Grzegrzolka, 8-1.

Next, the No.23-ranked Lions’ pair of Matt Nicholson-Lewis and Victor Lozier showed their dominance as a team once again as they took down their 36th-ranked counterparts in Ben and Zach Newell, 8-6. 

Saint Leo could not complete the sweep, however, as the Rockhurst No.27 team of Victor Klintcharov and John Lazenby defeated the Lions’ pair of Aloua Adjenak and Jose Morales at No.2, 8-5.

On the singles side, Nicholson-Lewis made quick work of his opponent, downing Newell in straight-sets 6-1, 6-4. Adjenak followed his teammates win with a 6-4, 6-1 win of his own at No.3 singles.

Up 4-1 in the match, the Lions’ Chavez clinched the non-region win as he downed Newell, 6-4, 6-4. Lozier added to the Lions’ total as he edged Lazenby in consecutive sets, 6-4, 7-5 at the No.2 position.

Gleeson wrapped-up the Lions scoring as he upended Gauto-Mariotti in straight-sets, 6-1, 6-3.

Tonight’s match really caught Head Coach James Bryce’s attention, “Tonight we played with some of the best intensity and discipline of the season. Everyone is excited about the way things are progressing. Still, we have a lot of work to do, but I feel confident that our best is yet to come.”

Saint Leo will try their hand against Division I foe Samford on Sunday, March 13. The home match is slated to begin at 2:00 p.m.