Pfeiffer Men's Tennis Wins USA South Tournament Semifinal Match Over Methodist, 5-4

Rocky Mount, N.C. (April 26, 2024)– The Pfeiffer University men's tennis won their USA South Tournament semifinal match 5-4 over third-seeded Methodist, advancing to the USA South Championship Match.

RECORDS
#3 Methodist – 10-7
#2 Pfeiffer – 13-4


HOW IT HAPPENED
Pfeiffer jumped on the third-seeded Monarchs in doubles play by taking two of the three matches.  The No. 1 team of Mathius Dessureau and Benedikt Pfeiffer gave the Falcons the early lead by winning 8-4. 

USA South Rookie of the Year Jayden Wellman and teammate Mateo Sonaglia took their No. 3 match by an 8-5 score to go up 2-0.

Methodist would get on the board at the No. 3 match, with Drew Guarnieri and Decklan Rayner winning over Andres Valdez-Arze and Dylan Masters by an 8-6 score.

In singles play, Methodist drew even at 2-2 by winning the No. 2 match when Harry Crokam downed Dessureau, 6-4, 6-1.

Wellman would give the Falcons the 3-2 edge after winning his No. 3 singles match 6-4, 6-1.  Methodist then fought back to tie the score at 3-3 with a win at No. 6.

The Monarchs then took the 4-3 lead after a win at No. 1.  Matthew Hurley downed Benedikt Pfeiffer, 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 in a three-set match.

Dylan Masters won his No. 4 match by a 6-3, 7-5 final over Drew Guarnieri to pull even at 4-4.

In the deciding match, Andres Valdez-Arze took the three-set 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 win to clinch the 5-4 team win for Pfeiffer, earning a trip to the USA South Tournament Championship match for the second consecutive season.
The Next Match
The No. 2 Falcons will take on top-seeded and host N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday for the USA South Championship at 2:00 p.m.