NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 5, Methodist 4
Records: Piedmont, 2-0; Methodist, 0-1

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - In another instant classic, the Piedmont men's tennis team rallied past Methodist for a 5-4 road win on Sunday afternoon in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

For the second straight day, the Lions found themselves locked in a battle, and for the second straight day, they prevailed with a freshman earning the clinching victory.

This time, it was CONNOR PHELPS who played hero, winning a grueling first set before cruising in the second (7-5, 6-1) to lift the Lions over the Monarchs.

The win marked the first in program history for Piedmont over Methodist. The Monarchs had taken the previous 11 before Sunday's match.

Doubles action saw Piedmont put the first point on the board as Phelps and RYAN RAUGH did not lose a game at No. 3 doubles. However, the Monarchs responded by winning easily at No. 1 doubles and taking a hard-fought match 8-6 at No. 2.

Trailing by a 2-1 margin heading into singles, the Lions needed to win 4-of-6 to take the match.

Methodist won a third straight point with a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 1, but JACKSON TRAYLOR stopped the momentum with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 4 to move the Lions back within a point at 3-2.

MIKE PORCELLI knotted things up at 3-all as his opponent was forced to retire with Porcelli up a set and 2-0 in the second set. However, Methodist was able to retake the lead with a hard-fought two-set win at No. 2. ALBERTO NUNEZ took Wills Belser to a tiebreaker in the first set, but ultimately fell in the breaker and then lost the second set 6-2.

With the deficit at 4-3, the Lions just had No. 5 and No. 6 singles remaining on court as Phelps and fellow newcomer SIMON JOHNSTONE were in battles.

The first sets saw Phelps prevail 7-5 in a battle while Johnstone cruised 6-2 while the second sets saw the reverse. Phelps took advantage of the momentum and cruised while Johnstone's opponent battled back at No. 6 before Johnstone ultimately won the set, 7-5.

The two matches finished within moments of each other with Johnstone clinching first to momentarily tie the score at 4-4 before Phelps closed out the comeback.

Up next, the Lions will travel and take on former USA South opponent Brevard this coming Wednesday, February 22 at 2:30 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- The Lions turned the tides with big wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, as newcomers CONNOR PHELPS and SIMON JOHNSTONE came through in the clutch.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Phelps is a perfect 4-0 combined in dual singles and doubles matches over the past two days.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- This marks Piedmont's first win in program history over the Monarchs.

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