MOBILE, Ala. – The OUAZ men's tennis team assured themselves a shot at a national championship by securing a 5-3 win over Judson on Tuesday during pool play action at the NCCAA Men's Tennis National Championship at the Mobile Tennis Center.
 
OUAZ (13-7) moved to 2-0 in pool play with one match remaining. They are the lone undefeated team left at the tournament which assures they will advance to Thursday's title dual regardless on Wednesday's results.
 
The Spirit again used doubles to build an early lead over Judson (18-8) on Tuesday. They secured the first points from Eduardo Couto and Andres Reyes in the No. 1 match 8-2. That was quickly followed with Leonardo Couto and Noel Maurin adding a second points with their 8-2 win in the No. 2 match.
 
Judson earned their first point of the morning by taking the No. 3 match, 8-6.
 
OUAZ wasn't able to get comfortable in single play as the Eagles countered every Spirit win with one of their own. After Reyes won the No. 2 match 6-3, 6-1, the Eagles got a point back with a 6-4, 6-2 win in the No. 5 match.
 
Maurin put the Spirit on the brink of clinching with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in the No. 4 match. L.Couto then retired from his No. 3 match to again have Judson back within one point with two matches remaining.
 
The No. 6 match had moved to a third set after Dong Hyun Kim split the first two for the Spirit. That match wouldn't make it to a conclusion as E.Couto would close out a 7-6, 6-4 win in the No. 1 match to seal a victory for the Spirit.
 
OUAZ will face Cedarville on Wednesday at 8 a.m. (Arizona) to complete pool play. They will then face the winner of the dual between Judson and Campbellsville at 8 a.m. (Arizona) on Thursday for the championship.