Boston University
Lehigh (PL Quarterfinals)
Terriers Eliminate Lehigh in Epic PL Quarters, 4-3
April 17, 2015 | Men's Tennis
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Highlighted by junior William Kwok's thrilling three-hour singles win and a dominating doubles performance, the Boston University men's tennis team prevailed over Lehigh, 4-3, in the Patriot League quarterfinals Friday night at Bucknell's Varsity Courts.
Becoming the first team to eliminate the 2013 PL champion Mountain Hawks (12-10) in the quarterfinals since 2010, the Terriers improve to 7-6 and will next face Navy on Saturday in the semifinals at 2 p.m.
BU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead by winning the first two doubles matches. Sophomore Mario Sandoval and junior Stefan Lemire claimed an 8-2 win in the No. 2 slot. Sophomores Jake De Vries and Jay Leelavanich sealed the point at No. 3 with an 8-5 victory.
Both teams won two singles points apiece in straight sets. De Vries (#6) and classmate Lucas Bombonatti (#5) helped put BU within one point of reaching its ninth straight semifinal in a conference tournament.
Lehigh posted straight-set victories at No. 3 against Lemire (6-3, 7-5) and at No. 4 against Sandoval (6-2, 6-2) to leave the final two points up for grabs. The Mountain Hawks tied the contest at 3-3, as Jeremy Kochman held off a late charge by Leelavanich to win the No. 2 point, 7-5, 0-6, 7-5.
Kwok and Gilman went into the third and final set with all of the players and fans watching them intensely. After the players exchanged break of service early in the third, Kwok claimed another break in the final game to win, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
The Terriers will now have a rematch of last year's PL semifinal against Navy. The Midshipmen came out ahead, 4-3, before falling to Army West Point in the finals.
