WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. - The Mercyhurst University men's tennis team, seeded sixth in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region, continued its season on Sunday afternoon with an impressive 5-2 victory over third-seeded West Virginia Wesleyan in the opening round of the regionals hosted by West Liberty University at the Edgar Martin Tennis Complex. The Lakers improved to 14-6 overall and advances to the regional championship on Monday. The Bobcats ended their season with an 11-8 overall mark.

It was Mercyhurst's first NCAA Division II Tournament victory since 1995 when school records became fully available. The appearance marked the first time since 2010 that the Lakers made the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Mercyhurst got off to a blazing start, sweeping the doubles portion of play to take a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Conor McCooey and freshman Andoni Marquez posted the most lopsided victory in doubles play with an 8-2 win at #2. Meanwhile, the Laker duo of junior Robert Rizea and sophomore Ross Molinaro IV had to work extra to complete the sweep, but did so with a 9-8 (7-1) victory at #3.

West Virginia Wesleyan was able to cut the Laker lead to 3-2 with a pair of wins at #2 and #4. But, Rizea posted a straight-set win at #3 and McCooey slammed the door with a straight-set victory at #5 to send Mercyhurst to the next round.

The Lakers will meet second-seeded West Liberty University on Monday, May 4 beginning at 12:00 p.m. for the Atlantic Regional Championship. The Lakers defeated the Hilltoppers earlier in the season, 7-2, on February 22 at the Pennbriar Athletic Club in Erie.

Mercyhurst 5, West Virginia Wesleyan 2
Doubles Competition
1. Travis Beck / Nenad Terzic (MER-M) def. Joel Izquierdo / Aitor Reparaz (WVWC) 8-4
2. Conor McCooey / Andoni Marquez (MER-M) def. Andre Fernandes / Jose Titonel (WVWC) 7-2
3. Ross Molinaro IV / Robert Rizea (MER-M) def. Jacob Rendon / Nathan Savill (WVWC) 9-8 (7-1)
Singles Competition
1. Joel Izquierdo (WVWC) vs. Nenad Terzic (MER-M) 6-2, 6-6 (1-5), unfinished
2. Jacob Rendon (WVWC) def. Travis Beck (MER-M) 6-4, 6-0
3. Robert Rizea (MER-M) def. Ferran Berga (WVWC) 6-3, 6-1
4. Ramon Rodriguez (WVWC) def. Andoni Marquez (MER-M) 6-3, 6-1
5. Conor McCooey (MER-M) def. Aitor Reparaz (WVWC) 6-3, 6-4
6. Tim Stephens (WVWC) vs. Ross Molinaro IV (MER-M) 6-4, 1-3, unfinished