Story contributed by Nicholas Robinson, NAIA Tennis National Championship Media Coordinator

MOBILE, Ala. – [BRACKET | SCHEDULE] In a tightly-contested match, No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett continued its championship-caliber performance en route to clinching an eighth-straight title via a 4-1 win over No. 3 Keiser (Fla.) on Saturday (May 21) afternoon at the Mobile Tennis Center.

The Grizzlies (21-0), which hadn't lost a point in the three previous matches in Mobile this year, extended its mark to 32-0 all-time in matches at the national championships and to an overall 168-match winning streak.

For the eighth time in a row, Georgia Gwinnett head coach Chase Hodges was named the NAIA Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year after the match. Additionally, the Grizzlies’ Alex Gurmendi was named the Ward-Ballinger Outstanding Player. This is the seventh-consecutive time the honor has been awarded to a player from the team from Lawrenceville. Jordan Cox was a two-time recipient in both 2015 and 2017.

At one doubles, Valentino Caratini and Agustin Tamagnone (GGC) defeated Yassir Kilani and Bart Nouws (KEISER) by a 6-3 final after Alex Gurmendi and Guilhem Perez Le Tiec (GGC) bested Luke Simkiss and Soufiane El Mesbahi (KEISER) 6-2 at the bottom flight, handing GGC the 1-0 advantage.

While the Grizzlies led wire-to-wire in the title match, Yassir Kilani (KEISER) placed the first dent in the GGC armor all tournament long, taking a 7-5, 6-2 win over Valentino Caratini (GGC) - pulling the Seahawks (20-5) within a point, 2-1.

Gurmendi (GGC), the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, widened the Gwinnett lead to 3-1, taking down Geronimo Barrios (KEISER) in come-from-behind fashion, 1-6, 6-2, 6-0.

With the teams gathered near court five and the title trophy on the line, Vicente Lagos (GGC), a former Seahawk, defeated Charly Zick (KEISER), 6-2, 6-4, to end the match and capture the Red Banner.

Unable to finish, Kesier's Luke Simkiss had Matthais Haim on the ropes at the top singles spot, 4-6, 3-6, 1-5, while Soufiane El Mesbahi (KEISER) was ready to finish off Guilhem Perez Le Tiec at the sixth flight, boasting a 6-1, 5-4 advantage.

GGC's eight crowns moves the Grizzlies into sole possession of third place all-time in the NAIA record books. Only Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) and Redlands (Calif) captured more team titles, with nine and 11, respectively.