ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – The No.27-ranked Saint Leo men’s tennis team (14-8) posted the first upset of the 2011 Sunshine State Conference Tournament as they downed rival and No.24-ranked Florida Southern, 5-3, Thursday afternoon from the Sanlando Tennis Complex in SSC Quarterfinal action.

The win puts Saint Leo in the winner’s bracket as they will now take on top-seeded Barry University on Friday, April 15. First serve is set for noon from the Sanlando Tennis Complex in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Down 2-1 after doubles, the Lions used a total team effort to battle back to take four singles matches, capped by Tom Gleeson taking home a straight set, 6-4, 6-4 win over Jorge Gutierrez at No.5 singles.

The Lions No.1 pair of Matt Nicholson-Lewis and Victor Lozier began the scoring for Saint Leo as they dusted Ivan Marevic and Brian deMontfront, 8-0.

Still, a pair of slip ups at No.2 and No.3 doubles saw No.5-seeded Saint Leo down 2-1 going into singles.

However, a significant momentum shift in singles saw the upset minded Lions take four matches to secure the win.

Aloua Adjenak started the Green & Gold’s comeback at No.3 singles as he overpowered deMonfort in convincing fashion 6-1, 6-1.

Lozier boosted the Lions’ chances at the No.2 spot, blowing past Paradis 7-5, 6-1.

Nicholson-Lewis followed his teammate at the top flight position with a straight set, 6-3, 6-3, win over Marevic to hold a 4-2 match lead.

After Southern grabbed a critical win at No.4, and holding serve at No.6, Saint Leo’s Gleeson found himself in a position to put the Lions in the semis.

Down in both sets, the Melbourne, Australia native battled back, broke serve, and used consecutive 6-4 set wins to solidify the Lions advancement in the SSC Tournament.

On the day, an excited James Bryce stated, “I’m very proud of my guys. They came out, believed they could do it and executed. We are looking forward at the chance at playing another good team tomorrow and getting a shot at the NCAA’s.”

Coming into the match eighth in the region, the Lions have strengthened their chances at making it to the NCAA Tournament, while solidifying their first quarterfinals win since 1996.

The win also marks the first time the Lions have defeated the Mocs since 1996.