NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. – The Asbury University men's tennis team claimed its fourth consecutive River States Conference Tournament title on Saturday afternoon, as they rallied from a 3-2 deficit to defeat IU East 4-3.

It came all the way down the final court at No. 3 singles, as Rodrigo Cavero won the deciding match in a third-set tiebreaker 7-5.

Asbury used a gutsy effort from everyone on Saturday to pull out the victory and to advance on to NAIA Nationals.

AU took an early 1-0 lead after winning the doubles point with victories from Tanner Sparks/ Felipe Penuela at No. 3 doubles and Duarte Teixeira/ Gregorio Ingles at No. 2 doubles.

Choopat Suvimolstean won in straight sets at No. 1 singles and was the first match completed to boost AU's lead out to 2-0.

IUE would win the next three matches as the momentum swung in the Red Wolves' favor.

However, Asbury would not back down and won the final two matches with a big win at No. 5 singles from Luiz Gustavo Hartkopf and Cavero at No. 3 singles to seal the deal. Both Hartkopf and Cavero trailed 5-4 in the third set, with Hartkopf fighting off multiple match points to pull off the comeback victory.

The Eagles have won nine straight matches and are 10-1 overall on the year and will now await the draw for the national tournament which will be announced in May.

Results
AU def IUE 4-3
S1: Choopat Suvimolstean def. Maxmiliano Faundez 6-1, 6-1
S2: Francisco Faundez def. Gregorio Ingles 6-4, 6-2
S3: Rodrigo Cavero def. Adrian Martinez 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5)
S4: Moises Sosa def. Tanner Sparks 6-3, 6-0
S5: Luiz Gustavo Hartkopf def. Sebastian Torrealba 6-7(2), 6-2, 7-5
S6: Manuel Roman def. Duarte Teixeira 3-6, 7-5, 6-4

D1: Suvimolstean/Cavero lead Max Faundez/Thorben Waldburger 5-4, unfinshed
D2: Gregorio Ingles / Duarte Teixeira def. Francisco Faundez / Manuel Roman 6-3
D3: Felipe Penuela / Tanner Sparks def. Adrian Martinez / Moises Goncalves 6-2