INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The #3 Saint Leo University Men's tennis team faced a defining moment in its season Saturday and overcame a huge test in will and determination, as the third-seeded Lions defeated second-seeded #2 Columbus State Saturday at UIndy Tennis Center.
 
The Green & Gold picked up two Doubles wins that got the Lions one point, as Fifth-year Ghali Mensour and Sophomore Vincent Thiel edged Javier Cueto Ramos/Pietro Martinetti 6-5 and Junior Ivan Marrero and Graduate Tao Bernal Castillo defeated Tommaso Schold/Felix Steen 6-4.
 
In the Singles matches, Fifth-year Martin Soukal upset nationally-ranked #34 Tommaso Schold 6-3, 6-4, while #37 Thiel took down #17 Cueto Ramos 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
 
"What a great match by both teams" exclaimed Head Coach Chad Berryhill.  "Doubles was a bit slow for us but that doubles point gave us a lot of momentum today.  All three courts did a great job.  Also in Singles we did well competing. Columbus plays hard and won many big points but we showed a lot of maturity and grit today; couldn't be more proud of our guys and their effort today!"
 
With the win, Saint Leo advances to the Finals where the team will face the winner of eighth-seeded and host #7 UIndy and fifth-seeded #5 Wayne State.  First serve is set for 2:30 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo Men's tennis, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.