In a thrilling semifinal match at the Patriot League Tournament, the Navy men’s tennis team secured a 4-2 victory over Bucknell, with freshman Steve Nguyen delivering the deciding point. Despite dropping the first set and falling behind in the second, Nguyen rallied to win in three sets, propelling the Mids to victory.
Navy, the second seed, will now face off against top-seeded Boston U. in the championship match on Sunday at 11 a.m. This sets up a rematch of last year’s final, where Navy emerged victorious with a 4-0 win over the Terriers.
The Mids got off to a strong start by winning the doubles matches against Bucknell, with Luke Garner and Sasha Panyan leading the charge. Navy head coach Chris Garner praised his team’s performance in doubles, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Despite Bucknell mounting a comeback in the singles matches, Navy managed to secure the win with Nguyen’s impressive display of resilience and skill. Garner also contributed a crucial singles victory, further solidifying Navy’s lead.
With this victory, Navy advances to the championship match for the 16th time in the last 17 years, showcasing their dominance in the Patriot League. The upcoming final against Boston U. promises to be a highly competitive and exciting showdown between two top-tier teams.