VALDOSTA, Ga. (May 7, 2010) – Rollins took an early advantage and were very strong in singles, but couldn’t close the door as the seventh-ranked Tars fell to fifth-ranked Lynn 5-4 in the second round of the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament.

Rollins’ season ends with a record of 19-10 while Lynn advances to the NCAA Division II National Championships, hosted by Rollins at Sanlando Park May 12-15.

The top-seeded doubles match was a bout of heavyweights with fifth-ranked Jeff Morris and Neil Clausen scoring a big 8-6 win over fourth-ranked Alessandro Sarra and Willi Wolfer. The Tars picked up another point in the No. 3 match as Pablo Seijo and Arturo Baravalle teamed to down Tomas Racak and George Laffey 8-4.

LU scored at No. 2 doubles as Nick Rowlands and Chris Herbert fell to 13th-ranked Luca Pavanelli and Alex Voirin 8-4.

In singles play, Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, seventh-ranked Morris was upset at No. 1 by 12th-ranked Sarra 7-5, 6-4. Lynn also took the No. 2 match with 37th-ranked Clausen dropping a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 decision to 20th-ranked Racak.

Rollins picked up two big victories as Baravalle upset 30th-ranked Wolfer 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in the No. 3 match and Herbert took Laffey 6-1, 6-4 at No. 6. The Fighting Knights sealed the win, however with Girts Dezelde falling to 43rd ranked Pavanelli 6-3, 6-2 and Seijo dropping the No. 5 match 6-2, 6-3 to Voirin.


Lynn def. Rollins, 5-4 – 10 a.m.
Doubles
Jeff Morris/Neil Clausen (RC) def. Alessandro Sarra/Willi Wolfer (LU), 8-6
Luca Pavanelli/Alex Voirin (LU) def. Nick Rowlands/Chris Herbert (RC), 8-4
Pablo Seijo/Arturo Baravalle (RC) def. Tomas Racak/George Laffey (LU), 8-4
Singles
Alessandro Sarra (LU) def. Jeff Morris (RC), 7-5, 6-4
Tomas Racak (LU) def. Neil Clausen (RC), 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
Arturo Barvalle def. Willi Wolfer (LU), 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
Luca Pavanelli (LU) def. Girts Dzelde (RC), 6-3, 6-2
Alex Voirin (LU) def. Pablo Seijo (RC), 6-2, 6-3
Chris Herbert (RC) def. George Laffey (LU), 6-1, 6-4