NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 5, Saint John's (MN) 4
Records: Piedmont, 6-3; Saint John's, 2-5

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Piedmont men's tennis team concluded its Orlando Spring Break Trip with another hard-fought win, prevailing over Saint John's Univ. (MN) by a 5-4 margin on Thursday afternoon.

The win marks the second in a row for the Lions and gave them a winning 3-2 record on the trip.

Piedmont was able to overcome an injury retirement to clinch the match at 5-3 thanks to stout singles play.

The Lions jumped out to a strong start in doubles play, winning the first two doubles matches before conceding the third to take a 2-1 lead into singles. The duo of RYAN RAUGH and CONNOR PHELPS improved to 6-1 on the season, rolling to an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles while YANNICK WASSMER NAVARRO stepped in at No. 2 and teamed with MIKE PORCELLI to cruise to an 8-2 win.

Unfortunately, Porcelli was forced to retire at No. 3 singles due to injury which allowed the Johnnies to knot the score at 2-2.

The Lions recaptured the momentum quickly as JACKSON TRAYLOR rolled to a 6-2, 6-0 rout at No. 4 singles to give Piedmont the lead right back at 3-2.

The freshman Wassmer Navarro then put Piedmont a point away from clinching with a clinical 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 1. While SJU avoided defeat momentarily with a hard-fought win at No. 5, the Lions erased all doubt as BRYCE VANORDER provided the clinching win at No, 2 (6-3, 6-4). 

To close out the match, the Johnnies were able to salvage a fourth point, taking a third-set match tiebreaker.

Up next, the Lions will finally open their home slate, hosting Oglethorpe next Friday, March 17 at 3 p.m.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- The duo of Phelps and Raugh have been steady this season at No. 3 doubles, winning Thursday to improve to 6-1 on the season at that spot.
- Traylor halted the Johnnies' momentum with an easy 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 4. The win improved the junior to a perfect 3-0 at that spot this season.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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