Men's Tennis advances to finals of OAC Tournament with come from behind victory over John Carroll

By Tim Glon

MASON — The Ohio Northern men's tennis team advanced to the championship match of the Ohio Athletic Conference Men's Tennis Tournament with a come-from-behind 5-2 victory over John Carroll Friday afternoon at the Lindner Tennis Center.

The top-seeded Polar Bears extend their winning streak to 16 matches and improve to 18-2 on the season, while the fourth-seeded Blue Streaks see their season end with a 7-7 mark.

Northern will meet third-seeded Baldwin-Wallace, who edged second-seeded Mopunt Union 5-3 in Friday's other semifinal contest, in the finals Saturday at 2 pm.

Junior Jeff Carter and sophomore Andrew Korba each won twice to pace ONU.

Trailing 2-1 after doubles play, the Polar Bears rallied to win all four singles matches that were played to completion to post the victory.

Freshman Mike King posted a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles to tie the match at 2-2.

Carter then gave ONU a 3-2 lead with a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles and sophomore Nick Kowalczyk won 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2 singles to make it a 4-2 ONU advantage.

Korba put the match away with a 7-6(5), 6-1 victory at No. 4 singles.

Carter and Korba gave ONU its only doubles victory, winning 8-4 at the No. 2 spot.

Northern will be looking for its eighth OAC Tournament title and its third in the last four seasons on Saturday.

The OAC Tournament champion earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships.