Men’s tennis: Vanguard in semis

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Vanguard University’s men’s tennis team is just

two wins away from a national championship after its 7-2 quarterfinal

victory over Azusa Pacific Wednesday in the NAIA national championships

at Shillito Park in Kentucky.

The No. 3 seed Lions (22-3) used its depth to beat their Golden State

Athletic Conference rivals for the third time in four matches. Ollie

Helminen, Joakim Ulfvebrand and Peter Skrzeczynski all won their singles

sets.

Vanguard will face No. 2 Auburn-Montgomery, which advanced with a 5-3 win

over No. 7 Flagler College, in the semifinals today at the University of

Kentucky. The winner advances to Friday’s finals, also at Kentucky.

NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Quarterfinals

Vanguard 7, Azusa Pacific 2

Singles - Johansson (VU) lost to Matheu, 3-6, 3-6; Helminen (VU) def.

Asusa, 6-3, 6-0; Ulfvuebrand (VU) def. Rudi, 6-4, 6-4; Skrzeczynski (VU)

def. Hahn, 6-2, 7-5; Stromberg (VU) def. Medina, 3-6, 6-0, 4-3 default;

Makovec (VU) def. Molinda, 3-6, 6-3, 1-1 default.

Doubles - Helminen-Johansson (VU) lost to Matheu-Hahn, 2-8;

Skrzeczynski-Stromberg (VU) def. Medina-Molinda, 8-3; Ulfvebrand-Makovec

(VU) def. Rudi-Asusa, 8-5.