The Flagler College men’s tennis team will play for its first national championship in nearly 40 years after rolling to a final four win on Friday in the NCAA Division II tournament.
The Saints beat sixth-seeded Columbus State University 4-1 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs and will play for their first championship since 1986 when it was a member of the NAIA. Flagler won its first NAIA championship in 1977. The Saints will face No. 3 seed Valdosta State at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
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Flagler (22-2) has won 18 consecutive matches. No. 1 seed Jacopo Denitto (6-3, 6-2), No. 2 seed Baptiste Mercier (3-6, 6-1, 6-1), No. 4 Ilian Borlee (7-5, 6-3) and No. 5 Philipp Lemken (6-2, 3-6, 6-2) all won their singles matches. Lemken’s win sewed up the win. Flagler gave up its lone point on the doubles side.