The Emory University men's tennis team is returning the NCAA Quarterfinals for the 22nd consecutive season after defeating North Carolina Wesleyan, 5-1, in the regional finals Saturday afternoon at the Woodruff PE Center in the Atlanta.
The Eagles, 19-2 overall on the season, advance to the Round of Eight and will be matched up against fellow University Athletic Association member Washington University in the quarterfinals. The match against the Bears is set for May 20th at Stowe Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Emory and the Battling Bishops spilt the first two doubles matches to begin the afternoon with sophomore Hayden Cassone and freshman Antonio Mora taking the No.-3 doubles point 8-2 before NC Wesleyan topped seniors Jonathan Jemison and Adrien Bouchet, 8-3, at the first doubles spot. Senior James Spaulding and sophomore Will Wanner were able to send the Eagles into singles with a 2-1 advantage, winning the match on court two by an 8-5 margin.
Jemison led off singles action with a straight set victory on court one, 6-1, 6-3 with Mora soon to follow with a 6-2, 6-2 decision on court four. Cassone clinched the match with a two set win of his own on court two, 7-6, 6-0.
At the conclusion of the match, the Eagles held leads at the fifth and sixth singles positions: freshman Andrew Esses 7-5, 1-0 on five and Spaulding 7-5, 4-3 on six. Bouchet was a victor in his second set moments before Cassone's clincher as he evened his match up at 3-6, 6-1 on court three.